The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18: Health

Chapter 084: Possession and Control of Regulated Drugs

• Subchapter 001: REGULATED DRUGS

• § 4201. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  “Professional board” means:

  (A) in the case of a dentist, the State Board of Dental Examiners so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 12;

  (B) in the case of a physician or surgeon, the State Board of Medical Practice so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 23;

  (C) in the case of an osteopath, the State Board of Osteopathic Examination and Registration so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 33;

  (D) in the case of a nurse, the Vermont State Board of Nursing so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 28;

  (E) in the case of a pharmacist or pharmacy, the State Board of Pharmacy so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 36;

  (F) in the case of a veterinarian, the State Veterinary Board so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 44;

  (G) in the case of a hospital, laboratory, or nursing home, the Commissioner of Health so designated under chapter 3 of this title.

  (2) [Repealed.]

  (3) “Board of Pharmacy” means the State Board of Pharmacy so designated under 26 V.S.A. chapter 36.

  (4) “Certificate” means a certificate of approval issued to a hospital, laboratory, or nursing home under section 4207 of this title.

  (5) “Dentist” means a person authorized by law to practice dentistry in this State and who has a license issued to the person under this chapter authorizing him or her to use regulated drugs in connection with his or her professional practice.

  (6) “Depressant or stimulant drug” means:

  (A) any drug that contains any quantity of barbituric acid or any of the salts of barbituric acid, or any derivative of barbituric acid, that is designated as habit-forming because of its effect on the central nervous system in the rules adopted by the Department of Health under section 4202 of this title;

  (B) any drug, other than methamphetamine, that contains any quantity of amphetamine or any of its optical isomers, any salt or amphetamine or any salt of an optical isomer of amphetamine, that the Department of Health so designates by such rule as habit-forming because of its effect on the central nervous system;

  (C) gamma hydroxybutyric acid, including its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers;

  (D) gamma butyrolactone, including 4-butyrolactone and gamma hydroxybutyric acid lactone, including its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, when packaged, marketed, manufactured, or intended for human consumption;

  (E) ketamine, including its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers;

  (F) flunitrazepam, including its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers; and

  (G) any drug, other than methamphetamine, that contains any quantity of a substance that the Department of Health so designates by such rule as having a serious potential for abuse arising out of its effect on the central nervous system.

  (7) “Dispense” includes distribute, leave with, give away, dispose of, or deliver.

  (8) “Exempt officials” includes officials of the United States, insular possessions, territories, the District of Columbia, state, and political subdivisions.

  (9) “Federal drug laws” means the laws of the United States relating to one or more of those drugs which are defined in this chapter as regulated drugs.

  (10) “Hallucinogenic drugs” means stramonium, mescaline or peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin, and all synthetic equivalents of chemicals contained in resinous extractives of Cannabis sativa, or any salts or derivatives or compounds of any preparations or mixtures thereof, and any other substance that is designated as habit-forming or as having a serious potential for abuse arising out of its effect on the central nervous system or its hallucinogenic effect in the rules adopted by the Department of Health under section 4202 of this title.

  (11) “Hospital” means an institution for the care and treatment of the sick and injured licensed as a hospital under chapter 43 of this title and a hospital conducted, maintained, and operated by the United States or the State of Vermont, approved under this chapter as proper to be entrusted with the custody and use of regulated drugs under the direction of a physician or dentist, confirmed by an official written order signed by a person authorized to prescribe such drugs.

  (12) “Laboratory” means a laboratory approved under this chapter as proper to be entrusted with the custody and use of regulated drugs for scientific and medical purposes and for purposes of instruction.

  (13) “License” means a license to practice their profession issued to one of those persons listed in subdivisions (1)(A) through (F) of this section by the person’s respective professional board under the applicable laws of this State, or a license issued by the Department of Health under section 4206 of this title to a person not subject to the jurisdiction of any such professional board.

  (14) “Manufacturer” means a person authorized by law to manufacture, bottle, or pack drugs in this State and who has a license issued to the person under this chapter to compound, mix, cultivate, produce, or prepare regulated drugs, but does not include a pharmacy that compounds such drugs to be sold or dispensed on prescriptions at retail.

  (15)(A) “Cannabis” means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., except as provided by subdivision (B) of this subdivision (15), whether growing or harvested, and includes:

  (i) the seeds of the plant;

  (ii) the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and

  (iii) any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin.

  (B) “Cannabis” does not include:

  (i) the mature stalks of the plant and fiber produced from the stalks;

  (ii) oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant;

  (iii) any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks, fiber, oil, or cake;

  (iv) the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination; or

  (v) hemp or hemp products, as defined in 6 V.S.A. § 562.

  (16) “Narcotic,” “narcotics,” or “narcotic drugs” means opium, coca leaves, pethidine (isonipecaine, meperidine), and opiates or their compound, manufacture, salt, alkaloid, or derivative, and every substance neither chemically nor physically distinguishable from them, and preparations containing such drugs or their derivatives, by whatever trade name identified and whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, as the same are so designated in the rules adopted by the Department of Health under section 4202 of this title.

  (17) “Nurse” means any person authorized by law to practice nursing in this State.

  (18) “Nursing home” means a facility, other than a hospital, operated for the purpose of providing lodging, board, and nursing care to persons who are sick, have an infirmity or disability, or are convalescing, approved under this chapter as proper to be entrusted with the custody and use of regulated drugs prescribed for such individual patients under its care under the direction of a physician or dentist, confirmed by an official written order signed by a person authorized to prescribe such drugs. No nursing home shall be granted a certificate of approval for the possession and use of such drugs unless such nursing home has a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse on duty or on call 24 hours daily who will have sole responsibility for those drugs. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as conferring on any nursing home, convalescent home, or home for the aged any authority, right, or privilege beyond that granted to it by the law under which it is licensed or otherwise authorized to function.

  (19) “Official written order” means an order written on a form prescribed for that purpose by the U.S. Commissioner of Narcotics and issued by the U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, under any laws of the United States making provision therefor, if such order forms are authorized and required by federal law, and if no such order form is provided, then on an official form provided for that purpose by the Commissioner of Health.

  (20) “Person” includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association, trust, or other institution or entity.

  (21) “Pharmacist” means any person authorized by law to practice pharmacy in this State; but nothing in this chapter shall be construed as conferring on a person any authority, right, or privilege that is not granted to him or her by the pharmacy laws of his or her state.

  (22) “Pharmacy” means any place registered as such by the Board of Pharmacy in which drugs, prescriptions, or poisons are possessed for the purpose of compounding, dispensing, or retailing, or in which drugs, prescriptions, or poisons are compounded, dispensed, or retailed, or in which such drugs, prescriptions, or poisons are by advertising or otherwise offered for sale at retail and which has a license issued to it under this chapter authorizing the retail dealing of regulated drugs.

  (23) “Physician” means a person authorized by law to practice medicine in this State and who has a license issued to the person under this chapter authorizing him or her to use regulated drugs in connection with his or her professional practice.

  (24) “Practitioner” includes a physician, dentist, veterinarian, surgeon, or any other person who may be lawfully entitled under this chapter to distribute, dispense, prescribe, or administer regulated drugs to patients.

  (25) “Prescribe” means an order for a patient made or given by a practitioner.

  (26) “Prescription” means an order for a regulated drug made by a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, dentist, or veterinarian licensed under this chapter to prescribe such a drug which shall be in writing except as otherwise specified in this subdivision. Prescriptions for such drugs shall be made to the order of an individual patient, dated as of the day of issue and signed by the prescriber. The prescription shall bear the full name, address, and date of birth of the patient, or if the patient is an animal, the name and address of the owner of the animal and the species of the animal. Such prescription shall also bear the full name, address, and registry number of the prescriber and, unless electronically prescribed, shall be written with ink, indelible pencil, or typewriter; if typewritten, it shall be signed by the prescriber. A written or typewritten prescription for a controlled substance, as defined in 21 C.F.R. Part 1308, shall contain the quantity of the drug written both in numeric and word form. If a prescription is communicated orally, it shall be reduced promptly to writing by the pharmacist. Nothing in this subdivision is meant to authorize the oral communication of a prescription when a written prescription is otherwise required.

  (27) “Registration” means the annual registration of licenses and certificates under this chapter.

  (28) “Registry number” means the number assigned under rules adopted by the Department of Health to each person authorized under this chapter to use, prescribe, dispense, possess, or administer a regulated drug in connection with his or her professional practice.

  (29) “Regulated drug” means:

  (A) a narcotic drug;

  (B) a depressant or stimulant drug, other than methamphetamine;

  (C) a hallucinogenic drug;

  (D) Ecstasy;

  (E) cannabis;

  (F) methamphetamine; or

  (G) xylazine.

  (30) “Sale” means transfer for a consideration or barter or exchange or an offer or express or implied promise to transfer for a consideration or barter or exchange, and each such transaction made by any person, whether as principal, proprietor, agent, servant, or employee.

  (31) “Veterinarian” means a person authorized by law to practice veterinary medicine in this State and who has a license issued to the person under this chapter authorizing him or her to use regulated drugs in connection with his or her professional practice.

  (32) “Veterinary hospital” means an institution equipped with the technical facilities and professional and technical personnel necessary for diagnosis and treatment of animals suffering from sickness or injury and which hospital is further approved under this chapter as proper to be entrusted with the custody and use of regulated drugs which may be used only by veterinarians in their professional practice at that hospital.

  (33) “Wholesaler” means a person authorized by law, when so required, to sell at wholesale drugs in this State and further has a license issued to the person under this chapter to supply others than consumers with drugs or preparations containing a regulated drug that the person has not produced or prepared.

  (34) “Deliver” means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer or prescription of a regulated drug, whether or not there exists an agency relationship.

  (35) “Cocaine” means coca leaves except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts have been removed; cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers; ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; or any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of any of the substances referred to in this subdivision.

  (36) “Heroin” includes every substance not chemically or physically distinguishable from it and preparations containing heroin or its derivatives, by whatever name identified and whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, as designated by the Department of Health by rule.

  (37) “Lysergic acid diethylamide” includes any salts or derivatives or compounds of any preparations or mixtures of lysergic acid diethylamide or any preparation, mixture, or compound containing any lysergic acid diethylamide.

  (38) “Ecstasy” means 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers.

  (39) “Methamphetamine” includes any quantity of the substance, its salt, isomers, salts of isomers, optical isomers, and salts of its optical isomers.

  (40) [Repealed.]

  (41) “Prescription drug” means any human drug required by federal law or regulation to be dispensed only by a prescription, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to Section 503(b) of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

  (42) “Ultimate user” means a patient who uses a prescription drug.

  (43) “Immature cannabis plant” means a female cannabis plant that has not flowered and that does not have buds that may be observed by visual examination.

  (44) “Mature cannabis plant” means a female cannabis plant that has flowered and that has buds that may be observed by visual examination.

  (45) “Approved drug-checking service provider” means a provider who complies with operating guidelines developed by the Department of Health pursuant to section 4240a of this title.

  (46) “Benchmark unlawful dosage” means the maximum recommended therapeutic dose, or maximum daily dose, as determined by the Department by rule.

  (47) “Drug-checking” means the testing of a substance to determine its chemical composition or assist in determining whether the substance contains contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds.

  (48) “Fentanyl” means any quantity of fentanyl, including any compound, mixture, or preparation including salts, isomers, or salts of isomers containing fentanyl. “Fentanyl” also means fentanyl-related substances as defined in rules adopted by the Department of Health pursuant to section 4202 of this title.

  (49) “Xylazine” means any compound, mixture, or preparation including salts, isomers, or salts of isomers containing N-(2,6- dimethylphenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-2-amine. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1975, No. 10, § 1, eff. 30 days from March 10, 1975; 1989, No. 100, §§ 10, 11; 2001, No. 52, § 2; 2003, No. 54, § 3; 2011, No. 27, § 1; 2013, No. 75, § 2; 2013, No. 84, § 2, eff. June 10, 2013; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 97; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 75; 2023, No. 53, § 101, eff. June 8, 2023; 2023, No. 22, § 11, eff. May 25, 2023; 2023, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 56, eff. June 6, 2024; 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4202. Powers and duties of the Department of Health

  (a) The Department of Health is authorized and empowered to adopt such rules that in its judgment may be necessary or proper to supplement the provisions of this chapter to effectuate the purposes and intent thereof or to clarify its provisions so as to provide the procedure or details to secure effective and proper enforcement of its provisions.

  (b) These rules and determinations, when adopted, shall, until modified or rescinded, have the force and effect of law.

  (c) The Commissioner of Health and any representative specifically authorized by the Commissioner shall have the power to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and records, and to take proof and testimony concerning all matters with which this chapter is concerned.

  (d) The rules adopted by the Department of Health under section 4201 of this title for the purpose of determining those drugs defined under that section may be adopted only after prior written notice to the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Practice and after the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Medical Practice have had an opportunity to advise the Commissioner of Health with respect to the form and substance of those rules or amendments and to recommend revisions thereof. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 14, § 24, eff. March 11, 1971; 2013, No. 75, § 2a, eff. June 5, 2013; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 76; 2023, No. 53, § 102, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4203. Persons exempted

  The provisions of this chapter, restricting the possession and control of regulated drugs, shall not apply to common carriers or to warehousemen while engaged solely in lawfully transporting or storing such drugs while in their original containers, nor to any employee of the same acting within the scope of his or her employment, nor to public officers or their employees in the performance of their official duties requiring possession or control of regulated drugs, nor to temporary incidental possession by employees or agents of persons lawfully entitled to possession, including a medical or dental assistant, nurse, intern, resident, and a member of a patient’s family dispensing or administering regulated drugs under a licensed physician’s or dentist’s orders, nor by authorized persons whose possession is for the purpose of aiding public officers in performing their official duties. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 23, 1968.)

• § 4204. Preparations excepted

  (a) The Department of Health may provide, by rule, for the exception from all provisions of this chapter, except as provided in section 4223 of this title, of the administration, dispensation, or sale at retail of a medicinal preparation containing such amounts of one or more regulated drugs that the Department considers not subject to abuse.

  (b) The exemption authorized by this section shall be subject to the condition that the medicinal preparation administered, dispensed, or sold, shall contain, in addition to the regulated drug in it, some drug or drugs conferring upon it medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the regulated drug alone, and that such preparation shall be administered, dispensed, and sold in good faith as a medicine, and not for the purpose of evading the provisions of this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 77; 2023, No. 53, § 103, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4205. Acts prohibited

  It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, possess, have under his or her control, sell, prescribe, administer, dispense, or compound any regulated drug, except as authorized in this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. March 23, 1968.)

• § 4206. Licenses

  (a) No person shall manufacture, compound, mix, cultivate, grow, or by any other process produce, prepare, prescribe, dispense, or compound any regulated drug, and no person as a wholesaler, manufacturer, pharmacist, or pharmacy shall possess or supply the same, without having first obtained a license from the respective professional board having jurisdiction over that person as so designated in subdivision 4201(1) of this title, or, in the event no professional board has such jurisdiction over a person, from the Department of Health under terms adopted by the Commissioner corresponding to those respecting professional licenses.

  (b) The sales of regulated drugs by manufacturers or wholesalers to persons in this State are restricted to those persons qualified by law to possess the same in connection with a business or profession defined in this chapter. Such sales shall be made only to those persons presenting to the vendor or his or her representative proof in writing that the vendee is authorized under this chapter to possess, use, dispense, sell, compound, or administer that regulated drug.

  (c) The ultimate user of a prescription drug who has lawfully obtained such prescription drug or other persons authorized by federal law may deliver, without being registered pursuant to 26 V.S.A. § 2061, the prescription drug to another person for the purpose of disposal of the prescription drug if the person receiving the prescription drug for purposes of disposal is authorized under a state or federal law or regulation to engage in such activity. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2011, No. 27, § 2; 2023, No. 53, § 104, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4207. Certificates of approval

  (a) No hospital, laboratory, or nursing home, or any other person not provided for under section 4206 of this title, shall possess, administer, compound, use, or supply any regulated drug without having first obtained a certificate of approval from the Department of Health.

  (b) The certificate of approval issued by the Department of Health in accordance with this section shall be effective only for the person and address and the type of regulated drug designated therein and shall be conspicuously displayed at the indicated place of business.

  (c) The fee for a certificate of approval shall be $1.00, and for each renewal thereof, $1.00.

  (d) Persons to whom certificates of approval have been issued shall thereafter apply annually to renew that certificate with the Department of Health. Application for renewal shall be made July 1 of each year. Failure to apply for renewal within 30 days after such date will subject the applicant to a penalty of $25.00 in addition to the renewal fee, to be collected by the Department upon any subsequent application for renewal.

  (e) The State and a municipal corporation therein shall be exempted from payment of the fees required by this section. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2023, No. 53, § 105, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4208. Qualifications for issuance of licenses and certificates

  Notwithstanding or in addition to any other provision of law, no license or certificate of approval shall be issued unless and until the applicant therefor has furnished proof satisfactory to the respective board or to the Department of Health in the exercise of its discretion:

  (1) that the applicant is of good moral character or, if the applicant be an association or corporation, that the managing officers are of good moral character, and does not or do not use a regulated drug without medical justification;

  (2) that the applicant possesses the means to carry on properly the business or profession described in his or her, or its application;

  (3) in the case of an applicant for a certificate of approval, that the applicant is licensed under the applicable laws of this State, if any, to carry on within this State the business or profession described in his, her, or its application; and

  (4) that the applicant or any of its managing officers has never been convicted of a violation of any of the criminal provisions of this chapter, or of a similar law of another state, or of the federal drug laws. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2023, No. 53, § 106, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4209. Supervision, revocation, and reinstatement of licenses and certificates

  (a) A board or the Department of Health may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, revoke or suspend for a period of time or amend the terms of any license or certificate issued by that board or the Department of Health under section 4207 of this title or under any provision of the laws of this State in the event that any one of the qualifications for issuance of a license or certificate listed in section 4208 of this title were at the time of such issuance or are subsequently thereto not met by the holder thereof or in the event that it is shown to that board’s or the Department of Health’s satisfaction that the holder or the holder’s employee or agent has violated any of the provisions of this chapter.

  (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a board or the Department of Health may, upon application of such person, at any time, after notice and opportunity for hearing, and upon good cause shown satisfactory to that board or the Department of Health in the exercise of its discretion, reinstate the license or certificate of a person previously suspended or revoked by that board or the Department of Health under subsection (a) of this section. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2023, No. 53, § 107, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4210. Authorized sales on written orders, records

  (a) Every physician, dentist, veterinarian, or other person who is licensed to administer, sell, dispense, or professionally use regulated drugs shall keep a record of such drugs received by him or her and a record of all such drugs administered, dispensed, or professionally used by him or her otherwise than by prescription, in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. It shall, however, be deemed a sufficient compliance with this subsection if any such person using small quantities of solutions or other preparations of such drugs for local application shall keep a record of the quantity, character, and potency of such solutions or other preparations purchased or made up by him or her, and of the dates when purchased or made up, without keeping a record of the amount of such solution or other preparation applied by him or her to individual patients.

  (b) Manufacturers and wholesalers shall keep records of all regulated drugs compounded, mixed, cultivated, grown, or by any other process produced or prepared, and of all such drugs received and disposed of by them in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section.

  (c) Every person who purchases for resale, or who sells preparations or regulated drugs exempted by regulation adopted under section 4204 of this title, shall keep a record showing the quantities and kinds thereof received and sold, or disposed of otherwise, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section.

  (d) The form and content of the records to be maintained under this section shall be prescribed by rule adopted by the Department of Health, after prior written notice to the Board of Pharmacy and after the Board of Pharmacy has had an opportunity to advise the Department of Health with respect to the form and substance of that rule and to recommend revisions thereof. The record of regulated drugs received shall in every case show the date of receipt, the name and address of the person from whom received, and the kind and quantity of drugs received, the kind and quantity of such drugs produced or removed from process of manufacture, and the date of such production or removal from process of manufacturer, and such other facts as the Department of Health may require. The record of all such drugs sold, administered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of shall show the date of selling, administering, or dispensing, the name and address of the person to whom, or for whose use, or the owner and species of animal for which the drugs were sold, administered, or dispensed, and the kind and quantity of drugs and shall be signed by the person giving such order or the person’s duly authorized agent. Every such record shall be kept for a period of three years from the date of the transaction recorded, and shall be subject to inspection by a federal officer or an officer of this State or an agent thereof specifically authorized engaged in the enforcement of the federal drug laws or of this chapter. The keeping of a record required by or under the federal drug laws, containing substantially the same information as is specified above, shall constitute compliance with this section, except that every such record shall contain a detailed list of such drugs lost, destroyed, or stolen, if any, the kind and quantity of such drugs, and the date of the discovery of such loss, destruction, or theft. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2023, No. 53, § 108, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4211. Records confidential

  Prescriptions, orders, and records required by this chapter, and stocks of regulated drugs, shall be open for inspection only to federal or State officers or their specifically authorized agent whose duty it is to enforce the federal drug laws or this chapter; authorized agents of professional licensing board, as that term is defined under 3 V.S.A. chapter 5, or the Department of Health; or authorized agents of the Board of Medical Practice. No person having knowledge by virtue of the person’s office of any such prescription, order, or record shall divulge such knowledge, except in connection with a prosecution, or proceeding before the Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Medical Practice, or another licensing or registration board, to which prosecution or proceeding the person to whom such prescriptions, orders, or records relate is a party. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 65; 2019, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2023, No. 53, § 109, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4212. Labels

  (a) Whenever a manufacturer sells or dispenses a regulated drug and whenever a wholesaler sells or dispenses a regulated drug in a package prepared by him or her, he or she shall securely affix to each package in which that drug is contained a label showing in legible English the name and address of the vendor and the quantity, kind, and form of regulated drug contained therein. No person, except a pharmacist or dispensing physician for the purpose of filling a prescription under this chapter, shall alter, deface, or remove any label so affixed.

  (b) Whenever a pharmacist or an employee of a hospital, infirmary, school, first aid station, or nursing home sells or dispenses any regulated drug, he or she shall affix to the container in which such drug is sold or dispensed a label showing his or her own name, address, and registry number, or the name, address, and registry number of the pharmacist or hospital or nursing home for whom he or she is lawfully acting, the name and address of the patient, or if the patient is an animal the name and address of the owner of the animal and the species of the animal, the name, address and registry number of the physician, dentist, or veterinarian by whom the prescription was written, the kind and form of the drug contained therein unless the practitioner has specifically ordered in that prescription that such information not be specified on the label, such directions as may be stated on the prescription, and the date of the issuance of the prescription. No person shall alter, deface, or remove any label so affixed. This subsection shall not apply to regulated drugs sold or dispensed for use exclusively within a hospital.

  (c) Physicians, dentists, or veterinarians dispensing regulated drugs shall affix to the container a label showing the dispensing practitioner’s name, address, and registry number, the name and address of the patient, or if the patient is an animal the name and address of the owner of the animal and the species of the animal, the kind and form of the drug contained therein unless the dispensing practitioner considers that such information should not be so specified for medical reasons, such directions necessary for use, and the date of the issuance of the prescription and the dispensing of the drug. This subsection shall not apply to an amount of regulated drugs equivalent to three days’ dosage dispensed to a patient for his or her immediate use without charge by a physician on house call. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. March 23, 1968.)

• § 4213. Authorized sales of regulated drugs

  (a) A duly licensed manufacturer or wholesaler may sell and dispense regulated drugs to any of the following persons, but only on official written orders:

  (1) To a manufacturer, wholesaler, or pharmacy.

  (2) To a physician, dentist, or veterinarian, except that an official written order shall not be required when regulated drugs are provided in person by a representative of a duly licensed manufacturer or wholesaler in quantities as samples for which there is no charge, either direct or indirect, and do not exceed ten times the manufacturer’s recommended maximum individual dose and are clearly marked “Sample” or “Not For Sale” on each individual tablet or capsule.

  (3) To a person in charge of a hospital having in effect a certificate of approval but only for use by or in that hospital for scientific or medical purposes.

  (4) To a person in charge of a laboratory having in effect a certificate of approval but only for use in that laboratory for scientific or medical purposes.

  (b) A duly licensed manufacturer or wholesaler may sell regulated drugs to any of the following persons:

  (1) On an official written order, accompanied by a certificate of exemption, as and if required by the federal drug laws, and in compliance with rules adopted by the Department of Health to a person in the employ of the government of the United States or of any state, territory, district, county, municipality, or insular government, purchasing, receiving, possessing, or dispensing regulated drugs by reason of the person’s official duties.

  (2) To a master of a ship or a person in charge of any aircraft upon which no physician is regularly employed or to a physician or surgeon duly licensed in some state, territory, or the District of Columbia to practice his or her profession, or to a retired commissioned medical officer of the U.S. Army, Navy, or Public Health Service employed upon such ship or aircraft, for the actual medical needs of persons on board such ship or aircraft, when not in port. However, such regulated drugs shall be sold to the master of such ship or person in charge of such aircraft or to a physician, surgeon, or retired commissioned medical officer of the U.S. Army, Navy, or Public Health Service employed upon such ship or aircraft only in pursuance of an order form approved by a commissioned medical officer or acting assistant surgeon of the U.S. Public Health Service.

  (3) To a person in a foreign country if the provisions of the federal drug laws and the rules adopted by the Department of Health are complied with.

  (c) An official written order for any regulated drug shall be signed in triplicate by the person giving such order or by his or her duly authorized agent. The original shall be presented to the person who sells or dispenses the drug named therein. In event of the acceptance of such order, by such person, each party to the transaction shall preserve his or her copy of such order for a period of three years in such a way as to be readily accessible for inspection by any federal or state officer or their specifically authorized agent whose duty it is to enforce the federal drug laws or this chapter. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, a duly licensed manufacturer or wholesaler may sell and dispense depressant or stimulant drugs to a person referred to in subdivisions (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section pursuant to telephone order, provided, however, that an official written order shall be presented to the person selling or dispensing that drug within seven days of the making of that telephone order, and all the provisions of this chapter after the expiration of that period of time apply.

  (d) Possession of or control of regulated drugs even though obtained as authorized by this section shall not be lawful if not in the regular course of business, occupation, profession, employment, or duty of the possessor.

  (e) A person in charge of a hospital or of a laboratory, or in the employ of this State or of any other state, or of any political subdivision thereof, or a master of a ship or a person in charge of any aircraft upon which no physician is regularly employed, or a physician or surgeon duly licensed in some state, territory, or the District of Columbia, to practice his or her profession, or a retired commissioned medical officer of the U.S. Army, Navy, or Public Health Service employed upon such ship or aircraft, who obtains regulated drugs under the provisions of this section or otherwise, shall not possess, nor administer, nor dispense, nor otherwise use such drugs, within this State, except within the scope of his or her employment or official duty, and then only for scientific or medicinal purposes and subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 256 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. April 6, 1970; 2023, No. 53, § 110, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4214. Authorized professional use of regulated drugs

  (a) A physician or dentist licensed under this chapter, in good faith and in the course of his or her professional practice only, may prescribe, administer, and dispense regulated drugs and he or she may cause the same to be administered for medical purposes only by a nurse licensed under this chapter, or an intern, medical or dental assistant, or resident, or in his or her absence by a responsible member of the family of the patient, under his or her direction and supervision.

  (b) A duly licensed veterinarian, in good faith and in the course of his or her professional practice only and not for use by a human being, may prescribe, administer, and dispense regulated drugs and he or she may cause them to be administered for medical purposes only by an assistant or orderly or by the owner of the animal, under his or her direction and supervision.

  (c) Any person who has obtained from a physician, dentist, or veterinarian any regulated drug for administration to a patient during the absence of such physician, dentist, or veterinarian under this section shall return to such physician, dentist, or veterinarian any unused portion of such drug, or shall take such action as may be specified by rules adopted by the Department of Health, when such drug is no longer required by the patient. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2023, No. 53, § 111, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4215. Authorized sales by pharmacists

  (a) A duly licensed pharmacist, in good faith and in the course of professional practice, may sell and dispense regulated drugs to any person upon a written prescription or oral prescription that is reduced promptly to writing by the pharmacist by an individual authorized by law to prescribe and administer prescription drugs in the course of professional practice. The written prescription shall be dated and signed by the person prescribing or, if an oral prescription, by the pharmacist on the day when written, and bearing the full name and date of birth of the patient for whom the drug is prescribed, and the full name of the person prescribing. If the prescription is for an animal, the prescription shall state the species of animal for which the drug is prescribed and the full name and address of the owner of the animal. A prescription shall not be refilled unless refilling is authorized by the practitioner on the original prescription or by the original oral order.

  (b)(1) The pharmacist filling a Schedule II prescription shall write the date of filling and the pharmacist’s own signature on the face of the prescription, or if an electronic prescription, shall enter the date of filling and the pharmacist’s name into the electronic record.

  (2) Pharmacists shall be subject to the requirements of 21 U.S.C. chapter 13.

  (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, a prescription for a Schedule II drug written without a future fill date shall not be filled more than 30 days after the date the prescription was issued. A prescription for a Schedule II drug written to be filled at a future date shall not be filled more than 90 days after the date the prescription was issued.

  (4) A physician who dispenses regulated drugs as part of his or her regular fee or for an additional fee shall be subject to the same requirements as a pharmacist for the purposes of this section.

  (c) The legal owner of any stock of regulated drugs, upon discontinuance of dealing in such drugs, shall promptly sell such drugs to a manufacturer, wholesaler, or pharmacist, but only on an official written order. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2017, No. 48, § 7.)

• § 4215a. Sale of Schedule V drugs

  (a) A duly licensed pharmacist may sell and dispense Schedule V drugs only upon written prescription or oral prescription that is promptly reduced to writing by a pharmacist, of a licensed physician, dentist, or veterinarian, dated and signed by the person prescribing or, if an oral prescription, by the pharmacist on the date when written.

  (b) Schedule V drugs shall include any compound, mixture, or preparation containing any of the following limited quantities of narcotic drugs, which shall include one or more nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients in sufficient proportion to confer upon the compound, mixture, or preparation valuable medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone:

  (1) Not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams;

  (2) Not more than 100 milligrams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams;

  (3) Not more than 100 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams;

  (4) Not more than 2.5 milligrams of diphenoxylate and not less than 25 micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit.

  (c) The Schedule V drugs as listed in subsection (b) shall be deemed regulated drugs as defined in section 4201(29) of this title.

  (d) For a first offense, a person knowingly and unlawfully violating the provisions of this section may be imprisoned for not more than six months or fined not more than $500.00, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, a person knowingly and unlawfully violating the provisions of this section may be imprisoned for not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. (Added 1975, No. 58; amended 2023, No. 85 (Adj. Sess.), § 49, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4215b. Identification

  Only a patient for whom a prescription was written, the owner of an animal for which a prescription was written, or a bona fide representative of the patient or animal owner, as defined by the Board of Pharmacy by rule after consultation with the Commissioner of Health, may pick up a prescription for a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance. Prior to dispensing a prescription for a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance to a patient not personally known to the pharmacist, the pharmacist shall require the individual receiving the drug to provide a signature and show valid and current government-issued photographic identification as evidence that the individual is the patient for whom the prescription was written, the owner of the animal for which the prescription was written, or the bona fide representative of the patient or animal owner. If the individual does not have valid, current government-issued photographic identification, the pharmacist may request alternative evidence of the individual’s identity, as appropriate. (Added 2013, No. 75, § 3; amended 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 10.)

• § 4216. Authorized possession by individuals

  (a) A person to whom or for whose use any regulated drug has been prescribed, sold, or dispensed, and the owner of any animal for which any such drug has been prescribed, sold, or dispensed, may lawfully possess the same on the condition that such drug was prescribed, sold, or dispensed by a physician, dentist, pharmacist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this State or under the laws of another state or country wherein such person has his or her practice, and further that all amounts of the drug are retained in the lawful container in which it was delivered to him or her by the person selling or dispensing the same.

  (b) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (a) of this section that a regulated drug be retained in its original container, the individual to whom a regulated drug was prescribed, dispensed, or sold by a physician, dentist, or pharmacist licensed in Vermont or in another state or country may maintain up to a 14-day supply of the regulated drug outside the original container for his or her own personal use if the following conditions are met:

  (1) the drug was prescribed for the individual;

  (2) the individual is in possession of the original or a copy of the prescription label;

  (3) at all times, the individual intends and has intended to use the drug only for legitimate medical use in conformity with instructions from the prescriber and dispenser; and

  (4) the individual maintains the limited supply of the drug in a receptacle that reasonably constitutes a more convenient or portable format to enable the individual’s legitimate medical use. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 2015, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 4217. Reports by physicians and hospitals

  It shall be the duty of every physician and every hospital to report to the Commissioner of Health, promptly, all cases wherein a person has been or is being treated for the use of, or for problems arising from the use of, regulated drugs. The reports shall include the type of problem being treated, the class of regulated drug that was used, and such further information as is required by rules of the Department of Health as adopted under section 4202 of this title, except that the rules shall not require the listing or other identification of the names of the persons being so treated. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 203 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 78; 2023, No. 53, § 112, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4218. Enforcement

  (a) It is hereby made the duty of the Department of Public Safety, its officers, agents, inspectors, and representatives, and pursuant to its specific authorization any other peace officer within the State, and of all State’s Attorneys, to enforce all provisions of this chapter and of the rules of the Department of Health adopted under this chapter, except those otherwise specifically delegated, and to cooperate with all agencies charged with the enforcement of the federal drug laws, this chapter, and the laws of other states relating to regulated drugs.

  (b) Such authorities and their specifically authorized agents shall have, at all times, access to all orders, prescriptions, and records kept or maintained under this chapter, as provided herein.

  (c) A person who gives information to law enforcement officers, the Drug Rehabilitation Commission, Department of Health, or professional boards as defined in section 4201 of this title and their specifically authorized agents, concerning the use of regulated drugs or the misuse by other persons of regulated drugs, shall not be subject to any civil, criminal, or administrative liability or penalty for giving such information.

  (d) Nothing in this section shall authorize the Department of Public Safety and other authorities described in subsection (a) of this section to have access to VPMS (Vermont Prescription Monitoring System) created pursuant to chapter 84A of this title, except as provided in that chapter.

  (e) The Department of Public Safety, in consultation with representatives of licensed Vermont pharmacies, shall adopt standard operating guidelines for accessing pharmacy records through the authority granted in this section. Any person authorized to access pharmacy records pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall follow the Department of Public Safety’s guidelines. These guidelines shall be a public record. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1969, No. 203 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 64; 2005, No. 205 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 75, § 4; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 79; 2023, No. 53, § 113, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4219. Repealed. 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.

• § 4220. Violations; proceedings

  (a) In any complaint, information, or indictment, and in any action or proceeding brought for the enforcement of any provision of this chapter, it shall not be necessary to negate any exception, excuse, proviso, or exemption contained in this chapter and the burden of proof of any such exception, excuse, proviso, or exemption shall be upon the defendant.

  (b) No person shall be convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter if such person shall have been acquitted or convicted under the criminal provisions of the federal drug laws for the same act or omission that, it is alleged, constitutes a violation of this chapter.

  (c) On the conviction of any person of the violation of any provision of this chapter, a copy of the judgment and sentence and of the opinion of the court or magistrate, if any opinion be filed, shall be sent by the clerk of the court or by the magistrate to the commission or officer, if any, by whom the convicted defendant has been licensed or registered to practice the person’s profession or to carry on the person’s business, and to the Commissioner of Health, who shall immediately transmit a copy thereof to the professional board, if any, having such person within its jurisdiction. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1971, No. 14, § 23, eff. March 11, 1971; 2023, No. 53, § 114, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4221. Violations; presumptions

  (a) Possession of a false or forged prescription for a regulated drug by any person other than a pharmacist in the pursuance of his or her profession shall be presumptive evidence of his or her intent to use the same for the purpose of illegally obtaining a regulated drug.

  (b) The presence of a regulated drug in an automobile, other than a public omnibus, is presumptive evidence of knowing possession thereof by each and every person in the automobile at the time such drug was found; except that such presumption does not apply:

  (1) to a duly licensed operator of an automobile who is at the time operating it for hire in the lawful and proper pursuit of his or her trade;

  (2) to any person in the automobile if one of them, having obtained the drug and not being under duress, is authorized to possess it and such drug is in the same container as when he or she received possession thereof; or

  (3) when the drug is concealed upon the person of one of the occupants. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. March 23, 1968.)

• § 4222. Common nuisances

  Any store, shop, warehouse, dwelling house, building, vehicle, boat, aircraft, or any place whatever, that is resorted to by persons for the purpose of using regulated drugs or that is used for the illegal keeping or selling of the same, shall be deemed a common nuisance. No person shall keep or maintain such a common nuisance. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. March 23, 1968.)

• § 4223. Fraud or deceit

  (a) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain a regulated drug, or procure or attempt to procure the administration of a regulated drug:

  (1) by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge;

  (2) by the forgery or alteration of a prescription or of any written order;

  (3) by the concealment of a material fact; or

  (4) by the use of a false name or the giving of a false address.

  (b) Information communicated to a physician in an effort unlawfully to procure a regulated drug or unlawfully to procure the administration of any such drug shall not be deemed a privileged communication.

  (c) No person shall willfully make a false statement in, or fail to prepare or obtain or keep, or refuse the inspection or copying under this chapter of, any prescription, order, report, or record required by this chapter.

  (d) No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining a regulated drug, falsely assume the title of, or represent himself or herself to be a manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacist, physician, dentist, veterinarian, or other authorized person.

  (e) No person shall make or utter any false or forged prescription or false or forged written order.

  (f) No person shall affix any false or forged label to a package or receptacle containing regulated drugs.

  (g) The provisions of this section shall apply to all transactions relating to amounts or types of drugs excepted from the provisions of this chapter by rule of the Department of Health under section 4204 of this title, in the same way as they apply to transactions relating to any other regulated drug.

  (h) Any person who, in the course of treatment, is supplied with regulated drugs or a prescription therefor by one physician and who, without disclosing the fact, is knowingly supplied during such treatment with regulated drugs or a prescription therefor by another physician, shall be guilty of a violation of this section.

  (i) A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than two years and one day or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both. (Added 1967, No. 343 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. March 23, 1968; amended 1989, No. 100, § 12; 2023, No. 53, § 115, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4224. Unused Prescription Drug, Needle, and Syringe Disposal Program

  (a) The Department of Health shall establish and maintain the statewide Unused Prescription Drug, Needle, and Syringe Disposal Program to provide for the safe disposal of Vermont residents’ unused and unwanted prescription drugs, needles, and syringes. The Program may include establishing secure collection and disposal sites and providing medication envelopes for sending unused prescription drugs to an authorized collection facility for destruction.

  (b) Pharmacies that operate 10 or more establishments in the United States, while concurrently conducting business in Vermont, shall enroll in a drug disposal kiosk program on or before July 1, 2023. If the physical dimensions of a pharmacy make an on-site collection receptacle impossible under State and federal law, a pharmacy shall provide a mail-back option for consumers. (Added 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 14a, eff. June 8, 2016; amended 2021, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. July 1, 2022; 2023, No. 22, § 1, eff. May 25, 2023.)

• § 4225. Repealed. 1995, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.

• § 4226. Minors; treatment; consent

  (a)(1) If a minor 12 years of age or older is suspected to be dependent upon regulated drugs as defined in section 4201 of this title, to have venereal disease, or to be an alcoholic as defined in section 8401 of this title, and the finding of such dependency, disease, or alcoholism is verified by a licensed physician, the minor may give:

  (A) his or her consent to medical treatment and hospitalization; and

  (B) in the case of a drug dependent or alcoholic person, consent to nonmedical inpatient or outpatient treatment at a program approved by the Agency of Human Services to provide treatment for drug dependency or alcoholism if deemed necessary by the examining physician for diagnosis or treatment of such dependency or disease or alcoholism.

  (2) Consent under this section shall not be subject to disaffirmance due to minority of the person consenting. The consent of the parent or legal guardian of a minor consenting under this section shall not be necessary to authorize care as described in this subsection.

  (b) The parent, parents, or legal guardian shall be notified by the physician if the condition of a minor child requires immediate hospitalization as the result of drug usage, alcoholism, or for the treatment of a venereal disease. (Added 1971, No. 76; amended 1975, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.); 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 80.)

• § 4227. Repealed. 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.

• § 4228. Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or sale of a noncontrolled drug or substance

  (a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly dispense, manufacture, process, package, distribute, or sell or attempt to dispense, manufacture, process, package, distribute, or sell a noncontrolled drug or substance upon either:

  (1) the express or implied representation that the drug or substance is a controlled drug; or

  (2) the express or implied representation that the drug or substance is of such nature or appearance that the dispensee or purchaser will be able to dispense or sell the drug or substance as a controlled drug.

  (b) For the purposes of this section, a “controlled” drug or substance shall mean those drugs or substances listed under Schedules I through V in the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. as amended.

  (c) In determining whether there has been a violation of subsection (a) of this section, the following factors shall be considered:

  (1) whether the physical appearance of the package or container containing the noncontrolled drug or substance is substantially similar to the physical appearance of packages and containers regularly used in the dispensing or sale of controlled drugs or substances;

  (2) whether the dispensing or sale or attempted dispensing or sale included an exchange or demand for money or other valuable property as consideration for the noncontrolled drug or substance and the amount of such consideration was substantially in excess of the reasonable value of the noncontrolled drug or substance;

  (3) whether the overall physical appearance of the capsule, tablet, or other finished product containing the noncontrolled drug or substance is substantially similar in size, shape, color, and markings to the physical appearance of a capsule, tablet, or other finished product containing a specific controlled drug or substance.

  (d) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to:

  (1) law enforcement officers acting in the course and legitimate scope of their employment;

  (2) persons who dispense, manufacture, process, package, distribute, or sell noncontrolled substances to licensed medical practitioners for use as placebos in the course of professional practice or research or for use in FDA-approved investigational new drug trials;

  (3) licensed medical practitioners, pharmacists, and other persons authorized to dispense or administer controlled substances and acting in the legitimate performance of their professional license.

  (e) In any prosecution under this section, it is no defense that the accused believed the noncontrolled drug or substance to actually be a controlled drug or substance.

  (f) A person convicted of violating this section shall be subject to imprisonment for a term of up to one year or a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both. If the violation of this section involves dispensing, distributing, or selling to a person under the age of 21, the person shall be subject to a term of imprisonment of not more than two years or fined up to $10,000.00, or both. (Added 1981, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 100, § 16.)

• § 4229. Maintenance of records

  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4202, 4210, 4213, and 4215 of this title relating to the maintenance of records, all rules adopted by the Department of Health and the Board of Pharmacy governing the records for the manufacturing, distribution, and dispensation of regulated drugs shall be in accordance with the similar requirements set by the federal government under the Controlled Substances Act so that compliance with Department of Health and Board of Pharmacy rules will result in compliance with federal laws and regulations. (Added 1981, No. 244 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 81; 2023, No. 53, § 116, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4230. Cannabis

  (a) Possession and cultivation.

  (1) No person shall knowingly and unlawfully possess more than one ounce of cannabis or more than five grams of hashish or cultivate more than two mature cannabis plants or four immature cannabis plants. A person who violates this subdivision shall be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

  (A) not more than $100.00 for a first offense;

  (B) not more than $200.00 for a second offense; and

  (C) not more than $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense.

  (2)(A) No person shall knowingly and unlawfully possess two ounces or more of cannabis or ten grams or more of hashish or more than three mature cannabis plants or six immature cannabis plants. For a first offense under this subdivision (2), a person shall be provided the opportunity to participate in the Court Diversion Program unless the prosecutor states on the record why a referral to the Court Diversion Program would not serve the ends of justice. A person convicted of a first offense under this subdivision shall be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than $500.00, or both.

  (B) A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of violating subdivision (A) of this subdivision (2) shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (C) Upon an adjudication of guilt for a first or second offense under this subdivision, the court may defer sentencing as provided in 13 V.S.A. § 7041, except that the court may in its discretion defer sentence without the filing of a presentence investigation report and except that sentence may be imposed at any time within two years from and after the date of entry of deferment. The court may, prior to sentencing, order that the defendant submit to a drug assessment screening, which may be considered at sentencing in the same manner as a presentence report.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing eight ounces of cannabis or 1.4 ounces of hashish or knowingly and unlawfully cultivating more than four mature cannabis plants or eight immature cannabis plants shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing more than one pound of cannabis or more than 2.8 ounces of hashish or knowingly and unlawfully cultivating more than six mature cannabis plants or 12 immature cannabis plants shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

  (5) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing more than 10 pounds of cannabis or more than one pound of hashish or knowingly and unlawfully cultivating more than 12 mature cannabis plants or 24 immature cannabis plants shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (6) If a court fails to provide the defendant with notice of collateral consequences in accordance with 13 V.S.A. § 8005(b) and the defendant later at any time shows that the plea and conviction for a violation of this subsection may have or has had a negative consequence, the court, upon the defendant’s motion, shall vacate the judgment and permit the defendant to withdraw the plea or admission and enter a plea of not guilty. Failure of the court to advise the defendant of a particular collateral consequence shall not support a motion to vacate.

  (7) The amounts of cannabis in this subsection shall not include cannabis cultivated, harvested, and stored in accordance with section 4230e of this title.

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling cannabis or hashish shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing more than one ounce of cannabis or five grams or more of hashish shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing one pound or more of cannabis or 2.8 ounces or more of hashish shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person 21 years of age or older may dispense one ounce or less of cannabis or five grams or less of hashish to another person who is 21 years of age or older, provided that the dispensing is not advertised or promoted to the public.

  (c) Trafficking. A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing 50 pounds or more of cannabis or five pounds or more of hashish with the intent to sell or dispense the cannabis or hashish shall be imprisoned not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses 50 pounds or more of cannabis or five pounds or more of hashish intends to sell or dispense the cannabis or hashish.

  (d) Cannabis-infused products. Only the portion of a cannabis-infused product that is attributable to cannabis shall count toward the possession limits of this section. The weight of cannabis that is attributable to cannabis-infused products shall be determined according to methods set forth in rule by the Cannabis Control Board. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 1; amended 2001, No. 52, § 3; 2003, No. 54, § 4; 2013, No. 75, §§ 22d, 22e, eff. July 2, 2013; 2013, No. 76, § 1; 2015, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. May 25, 2016; 2017, No. 74, § 27; 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2019, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; 2021, No. 20, § 72; 2023, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. June 10, 2024.)

• § 4230a. Cannabis possession by a person 21 years of age or older

  (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person 21 years of age or older who possesses one ounce or less of cannabis or five grams or less of hashish and two mature cannabis plants or fewer or four immature cannabis plants or fewer or who possesses paraphernalia for cannabis use shall not be penalized or sanctioned in any manner by the State or any of its political subdivisions or denied any right or privilege under State law. The one-ounce limit of cannabis or five grams of hashish that may be possessed by a person 21 years of age or older shall not include cannabis cultivated, harvested, and stored in accordance with section 4230e of this title.

  (2)(A) A person shall not consume cannabis in a public place. As used in this section, “public place” has the same meaning as provided by 7 V.S.A. § 831.

  (B) A person who violates this subdivision (a)(2) shall be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

  (i) not more than $100.00 for a first offense;

  (ii) not more than $200.00 for a second offense; and

  (iii) not more than $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense.

  (b)(1) Cannabis possessed or consumed in violation of State law is contraband pursuant to subsection 4242(d) of this title and subject to seizure and forfeiture.

  (2) This section does not:

  (A) exempt a person from arrest, citation, or prosecution for being under the influence of cannabis while operating a vehicle of any kind or for consuming cannabis while operating a motor vehicle;

  (B) repeal or modify existing laws or policies concerning the operation of vehicles of any kind while under the influence of cannabis or for consuming cannabis while operating a motor vehicle;

  (C) limit the authority of primary and secondary schools to impose administrative penalties for the possession of cannabis on school property;

  (D) prohibit a municipality from adopting a civil ordinance to provide additional penalties for consumption of cannabis in a public place;

  (E) prohibit a landlord from banning possession or use of cannabis in a lease agreement; or

  (F) allow an inmate of a correctional facility to possess or use cannabis or to limit the authority of law enforcement, the courts, the Department of Corrections, or the Parole Board to impose penalties on offenders who use cannabis in violation of a court order, conditions of furlough, parole, or rules of a correctional facility.

  (c)(1) A law enforcement officer is authorized to detain a person if:

  (A) the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person has violated subsection (a) of this section; and

  (B) the person refuses to identify himself or herself satisfactorily to the officer when requested by the officer.

  (2) The person may be detained only until the person identifies himself or herself satisfactorily to the officer or is properly identified. If the officer is unable to obtain the identification information, the person shall forthwith be brought before a judge in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court for that purpose. A person who refuses to identify himself or herself to the court on request shall immediately and without service of an order on the person be subject to civil contempt proceedings pursuant to 12 V.S.A. § 122.

  (d) Fifty percent of the civil penalties imposed by the Judicial Bureau for violations of this section shall be deposited in the Drug Task Force Special Fund, hereby created to be managed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, and available to the Department of Public Safety for the funding of law enforcement officers on the Drug Task Force, except for a $12.50 administrative charge for each violation, which shall be deposited in the Court Technology Special Fund, in accordance with 13 V.S.A. § 7252. The remaining 50 percent shall be deposited in the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program Special Fund, hereby created to be managed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, and available to the Court Diversion Program for funding of the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program as required by section 4230b of this title.

  (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do any of the following:

  (1) require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growing of cannabis in the workplace;

  (2) prevent an employer from adopting a policy that prohibits the use of cannabis in the workplace;

  (3) create a cause of action against an employer that discharges an employee for violating a policy that restricts or prohibits the use of cannabis by employees; or

  (4) prevent an employer from prohibiting or otherwise regulating the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growing of cannabis on the employer’s premises. (Added 2013, No. 76, § 2; amended 2013, No. 95 (Adj. Sess.), § 81, eff. Feb. 25, 2014; 2013, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2019, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 30, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; 2021, No. 20, § 73.)

• § 4230b. Cannabis possession by a person 16 years of age or older and under 21 years of age; civil violation

  (a) Offense. A person 16 years of age or older and under 21 years of age who knowingly and unlawfully possesses one ounce or less of cannabis or five grams or less of hashish or two mature cannabis plants or fewer or four immature cannabis plants or fewer commits a civil violation and shall be referred to the Court Diversion Program for the purpose of enrollment in the Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program. A person who fails to complete the program successfully shall be subject to:

  (1) a civil penalty of $300.00 and suspension of the person’s operator’s license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of 30 days, for a first offense; and

  (2) a civil penalty of not more than $600.00 and suspension of the person’s operator’s license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of 90 days, for a second or subsequent offense.

  (b) Issuance of notice of violation. A law enforcement officer shall issue a person who violates this section with a notice of violation, in a form approved by the Court Administrator. The notice of violation shall require the person to provide the person’s name and address and shall explain procedures under this section, including that:

  (1) the person shall contact the Diversion Program in the county where the offense occurred within 15 days;

  (2) failure to contact the Diversion Program within 15 days will result in the case being referred to the Judicial Bureau, where the person, if found liable for the violation, will be subject to a civil penalty and a suspension of the person’s operator’s license and may face substantially increased insurance rates;

  (3) no money should be submitted to pay any penalty until after adjudication; and

  (4) the person shall notify the Diversion Program if the person’s address changes.

  (c) Summons and complaint. When a person is issued a notice of violation under this section, the law enforcement officer shall complete a summons and complaint for the offense and send it to the Diversion Program in the county where the offense occurred. The summons and complaint shall not be filed with the Judicial Bureau at that time.

  (d) Registration in Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program. Within 15 days after receiving a notice of violation, the person shall contact the Diversion Program in the county where the offense occurred and register for the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program. If the person fails to do so, the Diversion Program shall file the summons and complaint with the Judicial Bureau for adjudication under 4 V.S.A. chapter 29. The Diversion Program shall provide a copy of the summons and complaint to the law enforcement officer who issued the notice of violation and shall provide two copies to the person charged with the violation.

  (e) Notice to report to Diversion. Upon receipt from a law enforcement officer of a summons and complaint completed under this section, the Diversion Program shall send the person a notice to report to the Diversion Program. The notice to report shall provide that:

  (1) The person is required to complete all conditions related to the offense imposed by the Diversion Program, including substance abuse screening and, if deemed appropriate following the screening, substance abuse assessment or substance abuse counseling, or both.

  (2) If the person does not satisfactorily complete the substance abuse screening, any required substance abuse assessment or substance abuse counseling, or any other condition related to the offense imposed by the Diversion Program, the case will be referred to the Judicial Bureau, where the person, if found liable for the violation, shall be assessed a civil penalty, the person’s driver’s license will be suspended, and the person’s automobile insurance rates may increase substantially.

  (3) If the person satisfactorily completes the substance abuse screening, any required substance abuse assessment or substance abuse counseling, and any other condition related to the offense imposed by the Diversion Program, no penalty shall be imposed and the person’s operator’s license shall not be suspended.

  (f) Diversion Program requirements.

  (1) Upon being contacted by a person who has been issued a notice of violation, the Diversion Program shall register the person in the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program. Pursuant to the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program, the Diversion Program shall impose conditions on the person. The conditions imposed shall include only conditions related to the offense and in every case shall include a condition requiring satisfactory completion of substance abuse screening using an evidence-based tool and, if deemed appropriate following the screening, substance abuse assessment and substance abuse education or substance abuse counseling, or both. If the screener recommends substance abuse counseling, the person shall choose a State-certified or State-licensed substance abuse counselor or substance abuse treatment provider to provide the services.

  (2) Substance abuse screening required under this subsection shall be completed within 60 days after the Diversion Program receives a summons and complaint. The person shall complete all conditions at the person’s own expense.

  (3) When a person has satisfactorily completed substance abuse screening, any required substance abuse education or substance abuse counseling, and any other condition related to the offense that the Diversion Program has imposed, the Diversion Program shall:

  (A) Void the summons and complaint with no penalty due.

  (B) Send copies of the voided summons and complaint to the Judicial Bureau and to the law enforcement officer who completed them. Before sending copies of the voided summons and complaint to the Judicial Bureau under this subdivision, the Diversion Program shall redact all language containing the person’s name, address, Social Security number, and any other information that identifies the person.

  (4) If a person does not satisfactorily complete substance abuse screening, any required substance abuse education or substance abuse counseling, or any other condition related to the offense imposed by the Diversion Program or if the person fails to pay the Diversion Program any required Program fees, the Diversion Program shall file the summons and complaint with the Judicial Bureau for adjudication under 4 V.S.A. chapter 29. The Diversion Program shall provide a copy of the summons and complaint to the law enforcement officer who issued the notice of violation and shall provide two copies to the person charged with the violation.

  (5) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Diversion Program or alcohol counselor may seek review of that decision pursuant to Rule 75 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.

  (6) Notwithstanding 3 V.S.A. §§ 163(a)(2)(C) and 164(a)(2)(C), the adult or juvenile diversion programs shall accept cases from the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program pursuant to this section, subdivision 4230f(e)(1) of this title, or subdivision 4230f(e)(2) of this title. The confidentiality provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 163 or 164 shall become effective when a notice of violation is issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, subdivision 4230f(e)(1) of this title, or subdivision 4230f(e)(2) of this title and shall remain in effect unless the person fails to register with or complete the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program.

  (g) [Repealed.]

  (h) Record of adjudications. Upon adjudicating a person in violation of this section, the Judicial Bureau shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who shall maintain a record of all such adjudications, which shall be separate from the registry maintained by the Department for motor vehicle driving records. The identity of a person in the registry shall be revealed only to a law enforcement officer determining whether the person has previously violated this section. (Added 2013, No. 76, § 2; amended 2015, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 31, 2016; 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; 2023, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4230c. Repealed. 2015, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 31, 2016.

• § 4230d. Repealed. 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.

• § 4230e. Cultivation of cannabis by a person 21 years of age or older

  (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person 21 years of age or older who cultivates not more than two mature cannabis plants and four immature cannabis plants shall not be penalized or sanctioned in any manner by the State or any of its political subdivisions or denied any right or privilege under State law.

  (2) Each dwelling unit shall be limited to two mature cannabis plants and four immature cannabis plants regardless of how many persons 21 years of age or older reside in the dwelling unit. As used in this section, “dwelling unit” means a building or the part of a building that is used as a primary home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons who maintain a household.

  (3) Any cannabis harvested from the plants allowed pursuant to this subsection shall not count toward the one-ounce possession limit in section 4230a of this title, provided it is stored in an indoor facility on the property where the cannabis was cultivated and reasonable precautions are taken to prevent unauthorized access to the cannabis.

  (4) Cultivation in excess of the limits provided in this subsection shall be punished in accordance with section 4230 of this title.

  (b)(1) Personal cultivation of cannabis only shall occur:

  (A) on property lawfully in possession of the cultivator or with the written consent of the person in lawful possession of the property; and

  (B) in an area that is screened from public view and access is limited to the cultivator and persons 21 years of age or older who have permission from the cultivator.

  (2) A person who violates this subsection shall be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

  (A) not more than $100.00 for a first offense;

  (B) not more than $200.00 for a second offense; and

  (C) not more than $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense. (Added 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; amended 2021, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 31, 2022.)

• § 4230f. Dispensing cannabis to a person under 21 years of age; criminal offense

  (a) No person shall:

  (1) dispense cannabis to a person under 21 years of age; or

  (2) knowingly enable the consumption of cannabis by a person under 21 years of age.

  (b) As used in this section, “enable the consumption of cannabis” means creating a direct and immediate opportunity for a person to consume cannabis.

  (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (d) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section, where the person under 21 years of age while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or herself or to another person as a result of the violation, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

  (e)(1) Subsections (a)-(d) of this section shall not apply to a person under 21 years of age who dispenses cannabis to a person under 21 years of age or who knowingly enables the consumption of cannabis by a person under 21 years of age.

  (2) A person who is 18, 19, or 20 years of age who knowingly dispenses cannabis to a person who is 18, 19, or 20 years of age commits a civil violation and shall be referred to the Court Diversion Program for the purpose of enrollment in the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program in accordance with the provisions of section 4230b of this title and shall be subject to the penalties in that section for failure to complete the program successfully.

  (3) A person 18, 19, or 20 years of age who knowingly dispenses to a person under 18 years of age who is at least three years that person’s junior shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years in accordance with section 4237 of this title.

  (4) A person who is 19 years of age who knowingly dispenses to a person 17 years of age or a person who is 18 years of age who knowingly dispenses cannabis to a person who is 16 or 17 years of age commits a misdemeanor crime and shall be fined not more than $500.00.

  (5) A person who is under 18 years of age who knowingly dispenses cannabis to another person who is under 18 years of age commits a delinquent act and shall be subject to 33 V.S.A. chapter 52.

  (f) This section shall not apply to a dispensary that lawfully provides cannabis to a registered patient or caregiver or to a registered caregiver who provides cannabis to a registered patient pursuant to chapter 86 of this title.

  (g) The provisions of this section do not limit or restrict the prosecution for other offenses arising out of the same conduct, nor shall they limit or restrict defenses under common law. (Added 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; amended 2018, No. 8 (Sp. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 2, 2018; 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Oct. 7, 2020.)

• § 4230g. Dispensing cannabis to a person under 21 years of age; civil action for damages

  (a) A spouse, child, guardian, employer, or other person who is injured in person, property, or means of support by a person under 21 years of age who is impaired by cannabis, or in consequence of the impairment by cannabis of any person under 21 years of age, shall have a right of action in his or her own name, jointly or severally, against any person or persons who have caused in whole or in part such impairment by knowingly dispensing cannabis to a person under 21 years of age or enabling the consumption of cannabis by a person under 21 years of age.

  (b) Upon the death of either party, the action and right of action shall survive to or against the party’s executor or administrator. The party injured or his or her legal representatives may bring either a joint action against the impaired person under 21 years of age and the person or persons who knowingly dispensed the cannabis or enabled the consumption of the cannabis, or a separate action against either or any of them.

  (c) An action to recover for damages under this section shall be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not after.

  (d) In an action brought under this section, evidence of responsible actions taken or not taken is admissible if otherwise relevant.

  (e) A defendant in an action brought under this section has a right of contribution from any other responsible person or persons, which may be enforced in a separate action brought for that purpose.

  (f) A person who knowingly dispenses cannabis to a person under 21 years of age or who enables consumption of cannabis by a person under 21 years of age may be held liable under this section if the person knew, or a reasonable person in the same circumstances would have known, that the person who received the cannabis was under 21 years of age. (Added 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)

• § 4230h. Chemical extraction via butane or hexane prohibited

  (a) No person shall manufacture concentrated cannabis by chemical extraction or chemical synthesis using butane or hexane.

  (b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. A person who violates subsection (a) of this section and causes serious bodily injury to another person shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both. (Added 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; amended 2021, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. May 31, 2022.)

• § 4230i. Exceptions

  (a) A person who is convicted of a felony for selling cannabis in violation of section 4230 of this title or selling a regulated drug to minors or on school grounds in violation of section 4237 of this title for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2018 and who possesses one ounce or less of cannabis or five grams or less of hashish commits a civil violation and shall be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

  (1) not more than $200.00 for a first offense;

  (2) not more than $300.00 for a second offense; and

  (3) not more than $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense.

  (b) A person who is convicted of a felony for selling cannabis in violation of section 4230 of this title or selling a regulated drug to minors or on school grounds in violation of section 4237 of this title for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2018 and who possesses any of the following commits a misdemeanor and is subject to imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both:

  (1) more than one ounce, but not more than two ounces of cannabis;

  (2) more than five grams, but not more than 10 grams of hashish; or

  (3) not more than six mature cannabis plants and 12 immature cannabis plants. (Added 2017, No. 86 (Adj. Sess.), § 11.)

• § 4230j. Cannabis possession by a person under 16 years of age; delinquency

  A person under 16 years of age who engages in conduct in violation of subdivision 4230b of this title commits a delinquent act and shall be subject to 33 V.S.A. chapter 52. The person shall be provided the opportunity to participate in the Court Diversion Program. (Added 2019, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Oct. 7, 2020.)

• § 4231. Cocaine

  (a) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing cocaine in an amount consisting of 2.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing cocaine in an amount consisting of one ounce or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (4) [Repealed.]

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing cocaine in an amount consisting of 2.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing cocaine in an amount consisting of one ounce or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (c) Trafficking.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing cocaine in an amount consisting of 150 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine with the intent to sell or dispense the cocaine shall be imprisoned not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses cocaine in an amount consisting of 150 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing cocaine intends to sell or dispense the cocaine. The amount of possessed cocaine under this subdivision to sustain a charge of conspiracy under 13 V.S.A. § 1404 shall be not less than 400 grams in the aggregate.

  (2) [Repealed.] (Added 1989, No. 100, § 2; amended 2001, No. 52, § 4; 2003, No. 54, § 5; 2007, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2023, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 57, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• § 4232. LSD

  (a) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing lysergic acid diethylamide in an amount consisting of 100 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing lysergic acid diethylamide in an amount consisting of one gram or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing lysergic acid diethylamide in an amount consisting of 10 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing lysergic acid diethylamide in an amount consisting of 100 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing lysergic acid diethylamide in an amount consisting of one gram or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing lysergic acid diethylamide shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 3; amended 2001, No. 52, § 5.)

• § 4233. Heroin

  (a) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing heroin in an amount consisting of 200 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing heroin in an amount consisting of one gram or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing heroin in an amount consisting of two grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling heroin shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing heroin in an amount consisting of 200 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing heroin in an amount consisting of one gram or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (c) Trafficking. A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing heroin in an amount consisting of 3.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin with the intent to sell or dispense the heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses heroin in an amount of 3.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing heroin intends to sell or dispense the heroin. The amount of possessed heroin under this subsection to sustain a charge of conspiracy under 13 V.S.A. § 1404 shall be no less than 10 grams in the aggregate.

  (d) Transportation into the State. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person knowingly and unlawfully transporting one gram or more of heroin into Vermont with the intent to sell or dispense the heroin shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 4; amended 2001, No. 52, § 6; 2003, No. 54, § 6; 2007, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 8.)

• § 4233a. Fentanyl

  (a) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing fentanyl in an amount consisting of four milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing fentanyl in an amount consisting of 20 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (4) In lieu of a charge under this subsection, but in addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing any regulated drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (b) Trafficking. A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing fentanyl in an amount consisting of 70 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing fentanyl with the intent to sell or dispense the fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses fentanyl in an amount of 70 milligrams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing fentanyl intends to sell or dispense the fentanyl. The amount of possessed fentanyl under this subsection to sustain a charge of conspiracy under 13 V.S.A. § 1404 shall be not less than 70 milligrams in the aggregate.

  (c) Transportation into the State. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person knowingly and unlawfully transporting more than 20 milligrams of fentanyl into Vermont with the intent to sell or dispense the fentanyl shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (d) As used in this section, “knowingly” means:

  (1) the defendant had actual knowledge that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter; or

  (2) the defendant:

  (A) was aware that there is a high probability that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter; and

  (B) took deliberate actions to avoid learning that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter. (Added 2017, No. 62, § 4; amended 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4233b. Xylazine

  (a) No person shall dispense or sell xylazine except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

  (b) The following are permitted activities related to xylazine:

  (1) dispensing or prescribing for, or administration to, a nonhuman species a drug containing xylazine approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 512 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as provided in 21 U.S.C. § 360b;

  (2) dispensing or prescribing for, or administration to, a nonhuman species permissible pursuant to section 512(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as provided in 21 U.S.C. § 360b(a)(4);

  (3) manufacturing, distribution, or use of xylazine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for manufacturing an animal drug approved under section 512 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as provided in 21 U.S.C. § 360b or issued an investigation use exemption pursuant to section 512(j);

  (4) manufacturing, distribution, or use of a xylazine bulk chemical for pharmaceutical compounding by licensed pharmacists or veterinarians; and

  (5) any other use approved or permissible under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

  (c) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing xylazine shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling xylazine shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (d) As used in this section, “knowingly” means:

  (1) the defendant had actual knowledge that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained xylazine; or

  (2) the defendant:

  (A) was aware that there is a high probability that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained xylazine; and

  (B) took deliberate actions to avoid learning that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained xylazine. (Added 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4234. Depressant, stimulant, and narcotic drugs

  (a) Possession.

  (1)(A) Except as provided by subdivision (B) of this subdivision (1), a person knowingly and unlawfully possessing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than heroin or cocaine, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (B) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine shall not be punished in accordance with subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1).

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than heroin or cocaine, consisting of 100 times a benchmark unlawful dosage or its equivalent shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than heroin or cocaine, consisting of 1,000 times a benchmark unlawful dosage or its equivalent shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than heroin or cocaine, consisting of 10,000 times a benchmark unlawful dosage or its equivalent shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine, shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than fentanyl, cocaine, or heroin, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine, consisting of 100 times a benchmark unlawful dosage or its equivalent shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing a depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, other than fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine, consisting of 1,000 times a benchmark unlawful dosage or its equivalent shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (4) As used in this subsection, “knowingly” means:

  (A) the defendant had actual knowledge that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter; or

  (B) the defendant:

  (i) was aware that there is a high probability that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter; and

  (ii) took deliberate actions to avoid learning that one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances contained the regulated drug identified in the applicable section of this chapter.

  (c) Possession of buprenorphine by a person under 21 years of age.

  (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, a person under 21 years of age who knowingly and unlawfully possesses 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine commits a civil violation and shall be subject to the provisions of section 4230b of this title.

  (2) A person under 16 years of age who knowingly and unlawfully possesses 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine commits a delinquent act and shall be subject to the provisions of section 4230j of this title. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 5; amended 2001, No. 52, § 7; 2009, No. 25, § 14; 2017, No. 62, § 5; 2021, No. 46, § 2, eff. June 1, 2021; 2021, No. 46, § 3, eff. July 1, 2023; 2023, No. 53, § 117, eff. July 2, 2023; 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4234a. Methamphetamine

  (a) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 2.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 25 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (b) Selling and dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $75,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 2.5 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $250,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 25 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (c) Trafficking. A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 300 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine with the intent to sell or dispense the methamphetamine shall be imprisoned not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses methamphetamine in an amount consisting of 300 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine intends to sell or dispense the methamphetamine. The amount of possessed methamphetamine under this subsection to sustain a charge of conspiracy under 13 V.S.A. § 1404 shall be no less than 800 grams in the aggregate. (Added 2003, No. 54, § 7.)

• § 4234b. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

  (a) Possession.

  (1) No person shall knowingly and unlawfully possess a drug product containing ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base with the intent to use the product as a precursor to manufacture methamphetamine or another controlled substance.

  (2) A person who violates this subsection shall:

  (A) if the offense involves possession of less than nine grams of ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base, be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both;

  (B) if the offense involves possession of nine or more grams of ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base, be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (b) Sale.

  (1) A drug product containing ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base shall not be distributed at retail to the general public unless it is maintained in a locked display case or behind the counter out of the public’s reach.

  (2)(A) A retail establishment shall not knowingly complete a sale to a person if the drug product or combination of drug products purchased would surpass a total of more than 3.6 grams within a 24-hour period or nine grams within a 30-day period of ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base or their isomers.

  (B) This subdivision shall not apply to drug products dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription.

  (3) A person or business that violates this subdivision shall:

  (A) for a first violation be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $100.00; and

  (B) for a second and subsequent violation be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $500.00.

  (c) Electronic registry system.

  (1)(A) Retail establishments shall use an electronic registry system to record the sale of products made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The electronic registry system shall have the capacity to block a sale of nonprescription drug products containing ephedrine base, pseudoephedrine base, or phenylpropanolamine base that would result in a purchaser exceeding the lawful daily or monthly amount. The system shall contain an override function that may be used by an agent of a retail establishment who is dispensing the drug product and who has a reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm to his or her person or to another person if the transaction is not completed. The system shall create a record of each use of the override mechanism.

  (B) The electronic registry system shall be available free of charge to the State of Vermont, retail establishments, and local law enforcement agencies.

  (C) The electronic registry system shall operate in real time to enable communication among in-state users and users of similar systems in neighboring states.

  (D) The State shall use the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) online portal or its equivalent to host Vermont’s electronic registry system.

  (2)(A) Prior to completing a sale under subsection (b) of this section, a retail establishment shall require the person purchasing the drug product to present a current, valid, government-issued identification document. The retail establishment shall record in the electronic registry system:

  (i) the name and address of the purchaser;

  (ii) the name of the drug product and quantity of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine base sold in grams;

  (iii) the date and time of purchase;

  (iv) the form of identification presented, the issuing government entity, and the corresponding identification number; and

  (v) the name of the person selling or furnishing the drug product.

  (B)(i) If the retail establishment experiences an electronic or mechanical failure of the electronic registry system and is unable to comply with the electronic recording requirement, the retail establishment shall maintain a written log or an alternative electronic record-keeping mechanism until the retail establishment is able to comply fully with this subsection (c).

  (ii) If the region of the State where the retail establishment is located does not have broadband Internet access, the retail establishment shall maintain a written log or an alternative electronic record-keeping mechanism until broadband Internet access becomes accessible in that region. At that time, the retail establishment shall come into compliance with this subsection (c).

  (C) A retail establishment shall maintain all records of drug product purchases made pursuant to this subsection (c) for a minimum of two years.

  (3) A retail establishment shall display a sign at the register provided by NPLEx or its equivalent to notify purchasers of drug products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine base that:

  (A) the purchase of the drug product or products shall result in the purchaser’s identity being listed on a national database; and

  (B) the purchaser has the right to request the transaction number for any purchase that was denied pursuant to this subsection (c).

  (4) A person or retail establishment that violates this subsection shall:

  (A) for a first violation be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $100.00; and

  (B) for a second or subsequent violation be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $500.00.

  (d) This section shall not apply to a manufacturer that has obtained an exemption from the Attorney General of the United States under Section 711(d) of the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005.

  (e) As used in this section:

  (1) “Distributor” means a person, other than a manufacturer or wholesaler, that sells, delivers, transfers, or in any manner furnishes a drug product to any person that is not the ultimate user or consumer of the product.

  (2) “Knowingly” means having actual knowledge of the relevant facts.

  (3) “Manufacturer” means a person that produces, compounds, packages, or in any manner initially prepares a drug product for sale or use.

  (4) “Wholesaler” means a person, other than a manufacturer, that sells, transfers, or in any manner furnishes a drug product to any other person for the purpose of being resold. (Added 2005, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Sept. 30, 2006; amended 2013, No. 75, § 19, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; 2013, No. 75, § 19a, eff. Sept. 30, 2016; 2017, No. 62, § 7, eff. June 7, 2017; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 82.)

• § 4235. Hallucinogenic drugs

  (a) “Dose” of a hallucinogenic drug means that minimum amount of a hallucinogenic drug, not commonly used for therapeutic purposes, that causes a substantial hallucinogenic effect. The Department of Health shall adopt rules that establish doses for hallucinogenic drugs. The Department may incorporate, where applicable, dosage calculations or schedules, whether described as “dosage equivalencies” or otherwise, established by the federal government.

  (b) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing 10 or more doses of a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing 100 or more doses of a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing 1,000 or more doses of a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (c) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing 10 or more doses of a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing 100 or more doses of a hallucinogenic drug, other than lysergic acid diethylamide, shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 6; amended 2001, No. 52, § 8; 2023, No. 53, § 118, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4235a. Ecstasy

  (a) Possession.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing Ecstasy in an amount consisting of two grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing Ecstasy in an amount consisting of 20 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (4) A person knowingly and unlawfully possessing Ecstasy in an amount consisting of seven ounces or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both.

  (b) Selling or dispensing.

  (1) A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.

  (2) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing Ecstasy in an amount consisting of two grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $100,000.00, or both.

  (3) A person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing Ecstasy in an amount consisting of 20 grams or more of one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing Ecstasy shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $500,000.00, or both. (Added 2001, No. 52, § 9.)

• § 4236. Manufacture or cultivation

  (a) A person knowingly and unlawfully manufacturing or cultivating a regulated drug shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00, or both.

  (b) This section shall not apply to the cultivation of cannabis. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 7.)

• § 4237. Selling or dispensing to minors; selling on school grounds

  (a) Dispensing regulated drugs to minors. A person knowingly and unlawfully dispensing any regulated drug to a minor who is at least three years that person’s junior shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years.

  (b) Sale of regulated drugs. A person knowingly and unlawfully selling any regulated drug to a minor shall, in addition to any other penalty, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years.

  (c) Selling on school grounds. No person shall knowingly and unlawfully:

  (1) dispense or sell a regulated drug to any person on a school bus or on real property owned by a public or private elementary, secondary, or vocational school;

  (2) sell a regulated drug to any person on real property abutting real property owned by a public or private elementary, secondary, or vocational school; or

  (3) dispense a regulated drug to any person in public view on real property abutting real property owned by a school.

  (d) Abutting school property. The selling or dispensing of a regulated drug to a person on property abutting school property is a violation under this section only if it occurs within 500 feet of the school property. Property shall be considered abutting school property if:

  (1) it shares a boundary with school property; or

  (2) it is adjacent to school property and is separated only by a river, stream, or public highway.

  (e) Penalty. A person who violates subsection (c) of this section shall, in addition to any other penalty, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years.

  (f) Definitions. As used in this section:

  (1) “Minor” means a person under the age of 18.

  (2) “Owned by a school” means owned, leased, controlled, or subcontracted by a school and used frequently by students for educational or recreational activities. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 8; amended 2001, No. 52, § 10; 2003, No. 54, § 8; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 83.)

• § 4238. Second and subsequent offenses

  A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of violating section 4228, 4230, 4231, 4232, 4233, 4234, 4235, 4236 or 4237 of this title, except a violation of subdivision 4230(a)(1), shall be subject to a term of imprisonment or fined up to twice that authorized by those sections, or both. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 9.)

• § 4239. Collection of fines

  Fines imposed for violation of this chapter shall be considered as a judgment and may be collected and executed upon by the State, through the State’s Attorney’s office or the Attorney General’s office, according to the Rules of Civil Procedure. The State may use the discovery provisions of the civil rules in connection with collection of an execution upon the judgment. Such procedure for collection of a fine shall not be exclusive. (Added 1989, No. 100, § 15.)

• § 4240. Prevention and treatment of opioid-related overdoses [Renumbered]

  (Added 2013, No. 75, § 17; amended 2015, No. 38, § 25, eff. May 28, 2015; 2023, No. 22, § 4, eff. May 25, 2023; renumbered to 18 V.S.A. § 4257 by 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 17, 2024.)

• § 4240a. Overdose prevention; drug-checking for contaminant detection [Renumbered]

  (Added 2023, No. 22, § 12, eff. May 25, 2023; renumbered to 18 V.S.A. § 4258 by 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 17, 2024.)

• Subchapter 002: FORFEITURE

• § 4241. Scope

  (a) The following property shall be subject to this subchapter:

  (1) All regulated drugs that have been cultivated, manufactured, distributed, compounded, possessed, sold, prescribed, dispensed, or delivered in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter.

  (2) All raw materials, products, and equipment of any kind that are used or intended for use in cultivating, manufacturing, compounding, dispensing, delivering, processing, importing, or exporting any regulated drug in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter.

  (3) All property that is used or intended for use as a container for property described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection.

  (4) All books, records, and research, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, computers, software, and data, that are used or intended for use in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter.

  (5) Any consideration, including monies, negotiable instruments, and securities, used or intended for use in the cultivation, manufacture, compounding, distribution, or delivery of any regulated drug in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter and any proceeds or derivative proceeds of any dispensing or sale of any regulated drug in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter, including monies, negotiable instruments, and securities. Such consideration, proceeds, or derivative proceeds shall be forfeited to the extent of the interest of an owner, only by reason of an action or omission committed or omitted with the knowledge or consent of the owner. As used herein, “derivative proceeds” shall not include real property that is occupied as the primary residence of a person involved in the violation and a member or members of that person’s family.

  (6) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels, that are used or are intended for use to transport, conceal, or in any manner facilitate the cultivation, manufacture, compounding, dispensing, delivering, sale, or possession of a regulated drug in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter. No conveyance shall be forfeited:

  (A) that is used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier unless the owner or other person in charge of such conveyance was a consenting party or privy to a violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter;

  (B) by reason of any act or omission of any person other than the owner while the conveyance was unlawfully in the possession of a person other than the owner in violation of the criminal laws of the United States, this State, or any other state; or

  (C) by reason of the use or intended use of the conveyance in violation of subchapter 1 of this chapter by a person other than the owner, unless the owner knew or had reason to believe that the conveyance was used in that manner.

  (7) Any property seized pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 364.

  (b) This subchapter shall apply to property for which forfeiture is sought in connection with:

  (1) a violation under chapter 84, subchapter 1 of this title that carries by law a maximum penalty of ten years’ incarceration or greater; or

  (2) a violation of 13 V.S.A. § 364. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1989, No. 100, § 13; 2013, No. 84, § 3, eff. June 10, 2013; 2015, No. 53, § 3.)

• § 4242. Seizure

  (a) The court may issue at the request of the State ex parte a preliminary order or process to seize or secure property for which forfeiture is sought and to provide for its custody. Process for seizure of such property shall issue only upon a showing of probable cause that the property is subject to forfeiture. Application therefor and issuance, execution, and return shall be subject to provisions of applicable law.

  (b) Any property subject to forfeiture under this subchapter may be seized upon process. Seizure without process may be made when:

  (1) the seizure is incident to an arrest with probable cause or a search under a valid search warrant;

  (2) the property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the State in a forfeiture proceeding under this subchapter; or

  (3) the seizure is incident to a valid warrantless search.

  (c) If property is seized without process under subdivision (b)(1) or (3) of this section, the State shall forthwith petition the court for a preliminary order or process under subsection (a) of this section.

  (d) Notwithstanding subsection 4241(b) of this title, all regulated drugs the possession of which is prohibited under this chapter are contraband and shall be automatically forfeited to the State and destroyed. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1987, No. 42; 2015, No. 53, § 4.)

• § 4243. Judicial forfeiture procedure

  (a) Conviction or agreement required. An asset is subject to forfeiture by judicial determination under section 4241 of this title and 13 V.S.A. § 364 if:

  (1) a person is convicted of the criminal offense related to the action for forfeiture; or

  (2) a person enters into an agreement with the prosecutor under which he or she is not charged with a criminal offense related to the action for forfeiture.

  (b) Evidence. The State may introduce into evidence in the judicial forfeiture case the fact of a conviction in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court.

  (c) Burden of proof. The State bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the property is an instrument of or represents the proceeds of the underlying offense.

  (d) Notice. Within 60 days from when the seizure occurs, the State shall notify any owners, possessors, and lienholders of the property of the action, if known or readily ascertainable. Upon motion by the State, a court may extend the time period for sending notice for a period not to exceed 90 days for good cause shown.

  (e) Return of property. If notice is not sent in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and no time extension is granted or the extension period has expired, the law enforcement agency shall return the property to the person from whom the property was seized. An agency’s return of property due to lack of proper notice does not restrict the agency’s authority to commence a forfeiture proceeding at a later time. Nothing in this subsection shall require the agency to return contraband, evidence, or other property that the person from whom the property was seized is not entitled to lawfully possess.

  (f) Filing of petition. The State shall file a petition for forfeiture of any property seized under section 4242 of this title promptly, but not more than 14 days from the date the preliminary order or process is issued. The petition shall be filed in the Superior Court of the county in which the property is located or in any court with jurisdiction over a criminal proceeding related to the property.

  (g) Service of petition. A copy of the petition shall be served on all persons named in the petition as provided for in Rule 4 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. In addition, the State shall cause notice of the petition to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the State, as ordered by the court. The petition shall state:

  (1) the facts upon which the forfeiture is requested, including a description of the property subject to forfeiture, and the type and quantity of regulated drug involved;

  (2) the names of the apparent owner or owners, lienholders who have properly recorded their interests, and any other person appearing to have an interest; and, in the case of a conveyance, the name of the person holding title, the registered owner, and the make, model, and year of the conveyance. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2015, No. 53, § 5; 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 50.)

• § 4244. Forfeiture hearing

  (a) Within 60 days following service of notice of seizure and forfeiture under section 4243 of this title, a claimant may file a demand for judicial determination of the forfeiture. The demand must be in the form of a civil complaint accompanied by a sworn affidavit setting forth the facts upon which the claimant intends to rely, including, if relevant, the noncriminal source of the asset or currency at issue. The demand must be filed with the court administrator in the county in which the seizure occurred.

  (b) The court shall hold a hearing on the petition as soon as practicable after, and in any event no later than 90 days following, the conclusion of the criminal prosecution.

  (c) A lienholder who has received notice of a forfeiture proceeding may intervene as a party. If the court finds that the lienholder has a valid, good faith interest in the subject property that is not held through a straw purchase, trust, or otherwise for the actual benefit of another and that the lienholder did not at any time have knowledge or reason to believe that the property was being or would be used in violation of the law, the court upon forfeiture shall order compensation to the lienholder to the extent of the lienholder’s interest.

  (d) The court shall not order the forfeiture of property if an owner, co-owner, or person who regularly uses the property, other than the defendant, shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the owner, co-owner, or regular user did not consent to or have any express or implied knowledge that the property was being or was intended to be used in a manner that would subject the property to forfeiture, or that the owner, co-owner, or regular user had no reasonable opportunity or capacity to prevent the defendant from using the property.

  (e) The proceeding shall be against the property and shall be deemed civil in nature. The State shall have the burden of proving all material facts by clear and convincing evidence.

  (f) The court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall issue a final order. If the petition is granted, the court shall order the property held for evidentiary purposes, delivered to the State Treasurer, or, in the case of regulated drugs or property that is harmful to the public, destroyed. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2015, No. 53, § 6.)

• § 4245. Remission or mitigation of forfeiture

  (a) On petition filed within 90 days after completion of a forfeiture proceeding, a court that issued a forfeiture order pursuant to section 4244 of this title may order that the forfeiture be remitted or mitigated. The petition shall be sworn and shall include all information necessary for its resolution or shall describe where such information can be obtained. Upon receiving a petition, the court shall investigate and may conduct a hearing if in its judgment it would be helpful to the resolution of the petition. The court shall either grant or deny the petition within 90 days.

  (b) The court may remit or mitigate a forfeiture upon finding that relief should be granted to avoid extreme hardship or upon finding that the petitioner has a valid, good faith interest in the property that is not held through a straw purchase, trust, or otherwise for the benefit of another and that the petitioner did not at any time have knowledge or reason to believe that the property was being or would be used in violation of the law. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2018, No. 8 (Sp. Sess.), § 7, eff. June 28, 2018.)

• § 4246. Maintenance

  Law enforcement agencies seizing property under this subchapter shall ensure that the property is properly maintained. Equipment and conveyances seized shall be removed to an appropriate place for storage. Any monies, negotiable instruments, or securities seized shall if practicable be deposited in an interest-bearing account pending final disposition by the court unless the seizing agency determines the properties to be of an evidentiary nature and provides for their security in another manner. Any such deposit in an interest-bearing account shall only be accomplished pursuant to a court order directing the same, and the court shall have jurisdiction to enter such order or any other order directing interim disposition of the properties pending final disposition by the court. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)

• § 4247. Disposition of property

  (a) Whenever property is forfeited and delivered to the State Treasurer under this subchapter, the State Treasurer shall, not sooner than 90 days after the date the property is delivered, sell the property at a public sale held under 27 V.S.A. chapter 18, subchapter 7.

  (b) The proceeds from the sale of forfeited property shall be used first to offset any costs of selling the property and then, after any liens on the property have been paid in full, applied to payment of seizure, storage, and forfeiture expenses, including animal care expenses related to the underlying violation. Remaining proceeds shall be distributed as follows:

  (1)(A) 45 percent shall be distributed among:

  (i) the Office of the Attorney General;

  (ii) the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs; and

  (iii) State and local law enforcement agencies.

  [Subsection (b)(1)(B) repealed effective July 1, 2024.]

  (B) The Agency of Administration is authorized to determine the allocations among the groups listed in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1) and may only reimburse the prosecutor and law enforcement agencies that participated in the enforcement effort resulting in the forfeiture for expenses incurred, including actual expenses for involved personnel. The proceeds shall be held by the Treasurer until the Agency notifies the Treasurer of the allocation determinations, at which time the Treasurer shall forward the allocated amounts to the appropriate agency’s operating funds.

  (2) The remaining 55 percent shall be deposited in the General Fund. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2015, No. 53, § 7; 2021, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2022; 2021, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)

• § 4248. Records

  (a) Law enforcement departments and agencies, and other State departments and agencies that have custody of any property subject to forfeiture under this subchapter, or that dispose of such property, shall keep and maintain full and complete records including the following:

  (1) from whom the property was received;

  (2) description of the property, including the exact kinds, quantities, and forms of the property;

  (3) value of the property;

  (4) if the property is deposited in an interest-bearing account, the location of the account and the amount of interest;

  (5) under what authority the property was held or received or disposed;

  (6) to whom the property was delivered;

  (7) the date and manner of destruction or disposition of the property.

  (b) Those records shall be submitted to the State Treasurer and shall be open to inspection by all federal and State departments and agencies charged with enforcement of federal and State drug control laws. Persons making final disposition or destruction of the property under court order shall report, under oath, to the court the exact circumstances of that disposition or destruction and a copy of that report shall be sent to the State Treasurer. (Added 1985, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)

• Subchapter 003: MISCELLANEOUS

• § 4249. Transportation of alcohol, tobacco, or regulated drugs into places of detention

  (a) No person shall knowingly carry or introduce or cause to be carried or introduced into a lockup, jail, prison, or correctional facility:

  (1) alcohol or alcoholic beverages;

  (2) cannabis;

  (3) a regulated drug, other than cannabis, as defined in section 4201 of this title, except upon the prescription or direction of a practitioner as that term is defined in 26 V.S.A. chapter 36; or

  (4) tobacco or tobacco products, except that an employee may possess or store tobacco or tobacco products in a locked automobile parked on the correctional facility grounds, store tobacco or tobacco products in a secure place within the correctional facility that is designated for storage of employee tobacco, and possess tobacco or tobacco products in a designated smoking area.

  (b) A person who violates subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than three months or fined not more than $300.00, or both.

  (c) A person who violates subdivision (a)(2) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than $500.00, or both.

  (d) A person who violates subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.

  (e) A person who violates subdivision (a)(4) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $450.00 for the first offense and $900.00 for any subsequent offense. An action under this subsection shall be brought in the same manner as for a traffic violation pursuant to 23 V.S.A. chapter 24.

  (f) As used in this section, “correctional facility” means any secure or staff-secure building, enclosure, space, or structure of or supported by the Department and used for the confinement of persons committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Corrections, or for any other matter related to such confinement. (Added 2003, No. 54, § 9; amended 2007, No. 64, § 2; 2017, No. 83, § 147.)

• § 4250. Selling or dispensing a regulated drug with death resulting

  (a) If the death of a person results from the selling or dispensing of a regulated drug to the person in violation of this chapter, the person convicted of the violation shall be imprisoned not less than two years nor more than 20 years.

  (b) This section shall apply only if the person’s use of the regulated drug is the proximate cause of the person’s death. The fact that a dispensed or sold substance contains more than one regulated drug shall not be a defense under this section if the proximate cause of death is the use of the dispensed or sold substance containing more than one regulated drug.

  (c)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the two-year minimum term of imprisonment required by this section shall be served and may not be suspended, deferred, or served as a supervised sentence. The defendant shall not be eligible for probation, parole, furlough, or any other type of early release until the expiration of the two-year term of imprisonment.

  (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court may impose a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment or that includes a term of imprisonment of less than two years if the court makes findings on the record that the sentence will serve the interests of justice. (Added 2003, No. 54, § 10; amended 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4251. Repealed. 2003, No. 54, § 11(f).

• § 4252. Knowingly permitting sale of regulated drugs in a dwelling

  (a) No person shall knowingly permit a dwelling, building, or structure owned by or under the control of the person to be used for the purpose of illegally selling a regulated drug.

  (b) [Repealed.]

  (c) A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $15,000.00, or both.

  (d) It shall not be a violation of this section if the person who owns or controls the dwelling, building, or structure takes action to address the unlawful activity. (Added 2007, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 2023, No. 23, § 3, eff. May 30, 2023.)

• § 4252a. Unlawful drug activity in a dwelling; flash citation

  (a) Except for good cause shown, a person cited or arrested for dispensing or selling a regulated drug in violation of this chapter shall be arraigned on the next business day after the citation or arrest if the alleged illegal activity occurred at a dwelling where the person is not a legal tenant.

  (b) Unless the person is held without bail for another offense, the State’s Attorney may request conditions of release. The court may include as a condition of release that the person is prohibited from coming within a fixed distance of the dwelling. (Added 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4253. Use of a firearm while selling or dispensing a drug

  (a) A person who uses a firearm during and in relation to selling or dispensing a regulated drug in violation of subdivision 4230(b)(3), 4231(b)(3), 4232(b)(3), 4233(b)(3), 4234(b)(3), 4234a(b)(3), 4235(c)(3), or 4235a(b)(3) of this title shall be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both, in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime.

  (b) A person who uses a firearm during and in relation to trafficking a regulated drug in violation of subsection 4230(c), 4231(c), 4233(c), or 4234a(c) of this title shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, in addition to the penalty for the underlying crime.

  (c) For purposes of this section, “use of a firearm” includes:

  (1) using a firearm while selling or trafficking a regulated drug; and

  (2) the exchange of firearms for drugs, and this section shall apply to the person who trades a firearm for a drug and the person who trades a drug for a firearm.

  (d) Conduct constituting the offense of using a firearm while selling or trafficking a regulated drug shall be considered a violent act for the purposes of determining bail. (Added 2011, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 2023, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 30, 2024.)

• § 4254. Reporting a drug overdose; immunity from liability

  (a) As used in this section:

  (1) “Drug overdose” means an acute condition resulting from or believed to be resulting from the use of a regulated drug that a layperson would reasonably believe requires medical assistance. For purposes of this section, “regulated drug” shall include alcohol.

  (2) “Medical assistance” means professional services provided to a person experiencing a drug overdose by a health care professional licensed, registered, or certified under State law who, acting within his or her lawful scope of practice, may provide diagnosis, treatment, or emergency services for a person experiencing a drug overdose.

  (3) “Seeks medical assistance” shall include providing care to someone who is experiencing a drug overdose while awaiting the arrival of medical assistance to aid the overdose victim.

  (b) A person who, in good faith and in a timely manner, seeks medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug overdose shall not be cited, arrested, or prosecuted for a violation of this chapter or cited, arrested, or prosecuted for procuring, possessing, or consuming alcohol by someone under 21 years of age pursuant to 7 V.S.A. § 656 or for providing to or enabling consumption of alcohol by someone under 21 years of age pursuant to 7 V.S.A. § 658(a)-(c).

  (c) A person who is experiencing a drug overdose and, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for himself or herself or is the subject of a good faith request for medical assistance shall not be cited, arrested, or prosecuted for a violation of this chapter or cited, arrested, or prosecuted for procuring, possessing, or consuming alcohol by someone under 21 years of age pursuant to 7 V.S.A. § 656 or for providing to or enabling consumption of alcohol by someone under 21 years of age pursuant to 7 V.S.A. § 658(a)-(c).

  (d) A person who seeks medical assistance for a drug overdose or is the subject of a good faith request for medical assistance pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall not be subject to any of the penalties for violation of 13 V.S.A. § 1030 (violation of a protection order), for a violation of this chapter or 7 V.S.A. § 656, for being at the scene of the drug overdose or for being within close proximity to any person at the scene of the drug overdose.

  (e) A person who seeks medical assistance for a drug overdose or is the subject of a good faith request for medical assistance pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall not be subject to any sanction for a violation of a condition of pretrial release, probation, furlough, or parole for a violation of this chapter or 7 V.S.A. § 656 for being at the scene of the drug overdose or for being within close proximity to any person at the scene of the drug overdose.

  (f) The act of seeking medical assistance for or by someone who is experiencing a drug overdose shall be considered a mitigating circumstance at sentencing for a violation of any other offense.

  (g) The immunity provisions of this section apply only to the use and derivative use of evidence gained as a proximate result of the person’s seeking medical assistance for a drug overdose, being the subject of a good faith request for medical assistance, being at the scene, or being within close proximity to any person at the scene of the drug overdose for which medical assistance was sought and do not preclude prosecution of the person on the basis of evidence obtained from an independent source.

  (h) A person who seeks medical assistance for a drug overdose pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall not be subject to the provisions of subchapter 2 of this chapter concerning property subject to forfeiture, except that prima facie contraband shall be subject to forfeiture.

  (i) Except in cases of reckless or intentional misconduct, law enforcement shall be immune from liability for citing or arresting a person who is later determined to qualify for immunity under this section.

  (j) To encourage persons to seek medical assistance for someone who is experiencing an overdose, the Department of Health, in partnership with entities that provide education, outreach, and services regarding substance use disorder, shall engage in continuous efforts to publicize the immunity protections provided in this section. (Added 2013, No. 71, § 2, eff. June 5, 2013; amended 2013, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 17; 2017, No. 83, § 148; 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. June 17, 2024; 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 4255. Repealed. 2023, No. 53, § 133, eff. June 8, 2023.

  (Added 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 84; 2019, No. 82, § 6; 2021, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2022; repealed by 2023, No. 53, § 133, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 4256. Overdose prevention centers

  (a) An overdose prevention center:

  (1) provides a space, either at a fixed location or a mobile facility, supervised by health care professionals or other trained staff where persons who use drugs can consume preobtained drugs and medication for substance use disorder;

  (2) provides harm reduction supplies, including sterile injection supplies; collects used hypodermic needles and syringes; and provides secure hypodermic needle and syringe disposal services;

  (3) provides drug-checking services;

  (4) answers questions on safer consumption practices;

  (5) administers first aid, if needed, and monitors and treats potential overdoses;

  (6) provides referrals to addiction treatment, medical services, and social services;

  (7) educates participants on the risks of contracting HIV and viral hepatitis, wound care, and safe sex education;

  (8) provides overdose prevention education and distributes overdose reversal medications, including naloxone;

  (9) educates participants regarding proper disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes;

  (10) provides reasonable security of the program site;

  (11) establishes operating procedures for the program as well as eligibility criteria for program participants; and

  (12) trains staff members to deliver services offered by the program.

  (b) The Department of Health, in consultation with stakeholders and health departments of other jurisdictions that have overdose prevention centers, shall develop operating guidelines for overdose prevention centers not later than September 15, 2024. The operating guidelines shall include the level of staff qualifications required for medical safety and treatment and referral support and require an overdose prevention center to staff trained professionals during operating hours who, at a minimum, can provide basic medical care, such as CPR, overdose interventions, first aid, and wound care, as well as have the ability to perform medical assessments with program participants to determine if there is a need for emergency medical service response. Overdose prevention center staff may include peers, case managers, medical professionals, and mental health counselors.

  (c)(1) The following persons are entitled to the immunity protections set forth in subdivision (2) of this subsection for participation in or with an approved overdose prevention center that is acting in the good faith provision of overdose prevention services in accordance with the guidelines established pursuant to this section:

  (A) an individual using the services of an overdose prevention center;

  (B) a staff member, operator, administrator, or director of an overdose prevention center, including a health care professional, manager, employee, or volunteer; or

  (C) a property owner, lessor, or sublessor on the property at which an overdose prevention center is located and operates;

  (D) an entity operating the overdose prevention center; and

  (E) a State or municipal employee acting within the course and scope of the employee’s employment.

  (2) Persons identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be:

  (A) cited, arrested, charged, or prosecuted for unlawful possession of a regulated drug in violation of this chapter or for attempting, aiding or abetting, or conspiracy to commit a violation of any of provision of this chapter;

  (B) subject to property seizure or forfeiture for unlawful possession of a regulated drug in violation of this chapter;

  (C) subject to any civil liability or civil or administrative penalty, including disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, credentialing restriction, contractual liability, or medical staff or other employment action; or

  (D) denied any right or privilege.

  (3) The immunity provisions of subdivisions (2)(A) and (B) of this subsection apply only to the use and derivative use of evidence gained as a proximate result of participation in or with an overdose prevention center. Entering, exiting, or utilizing the services of an overdose prevention center shall not serve as the basis for, or a fact contributing to the existence of, reasonable suspicion or probable cause to conduct a search or seizure.

  (4) The immunity provisions in subdivision (2)(C) of this subsection shall not apply to:

  (A) an individual using the services of an overdose prevention center if the basis for the civil claim is that the person operated a motor vehicle in violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1201; or

  (B) claims unrelated to the provision of overdose prevention services.

  (d) An entity operating an overdose prevention center shall make publicly available the following information annually on or before January 15:

  (1) the number of program participants;

  (2) deidentified demographic information of program participants;

  (3) the number of overdoses and the number of overdoses reversed on- site;

  (4) the number of times emergency medical services were contacted and responded for assistance;

  (5) the number of times law enforcement were contacted and responded for assistance; and

  (6) the number of participants directly and formally referred to other services and the type of services.

  (e) An overdose prevention center shall not be construed as a health care facility for purposes of chapter 221, subchapter 5 of this title. (Added 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 17, 2024.)

• § 4257. Prevention and treatment of opioid-related overdoses

  (a) As used in this section:

  (1) “Health care professional” means a physician licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 23 or 33, a physician assistant licensed to prescribe and dispense prescription drugs pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 31, an advanced practice registered nurse authorized to prescribe and dispense prescription drugs pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 28, or a pharmacist licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 36.

  (2) “Opioid antagonist” means a drug that, when administered, negates or neutralizes in whole or part the pharmacological effects of an opioid in the body.

  (3) “Victim” means the person who has overdosed on an opioid or who is believed to have overdosed on an opioid.

  (b) For the purpose of addressing prescription and nonprescription opioid overdoses in Vermont, the Department shall develop and implement a prevention, intervention, and response strategy, depending on available resources, that shall:

  (1) provide educational materials on opioid overdose prevention to the public free of charge;

  (2) increase community-based prevention programs aimed at reducing risk factors that lead to opioid overdoses;

  (3) increase timely access to treatment services for opioid users, including medication for opioid use disorder;

  (4)(A) educate substance use treatment providers on methods to prevent opioid overdoses;

  (B) provide education, information, and training on overdose prevention, intervention, and response, including the status of legal possession of substances and harm reduction supplies, to individuals living with opioid use disorder and participating in needle and syringe exchange programs, recovery programs, residential substance use disorder treatment programs, or correctional services;

  (5) implement and expand hospital referral services for individuals treated for an opioid overdose;

  (6) develop a statewide opioid antagonist program that emphasizes access to opioid antagonists to and for the benefit of individuals with opioid use disorder;

  (7) distribute opioid antagonists to assist those at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose; and

  (8) establish opioid antagonist dispensing kiosks in locations accessible to those at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

  (c)(1) A health care professional acting in good faith and within the professional’s scope of practice may directly or by standing order prescribe, dispense, and distribute an opioid antagonist to the following persons:

  (A) a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose; or

  (B) a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

  (2) A health care professional who prescribes, dispenses, or distributes an opioid antagonist in accordance with subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be immune from civil or criminal liability with regard to the subsequent use of the opioid antagonist, unless the health professional’s actions with regard to prescribing, dispensing, or distributing the opioid antagonist constituted recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct. The immunity granted in this subdivision shall apply whether or not the opioid antagonist is administered by or to a person other than the person for whom it was prescribed.

  (d)(1) A person may administer an opioid antagonist to a victim if the person believes, in good faith, that the victim is experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

  (2) A person shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for administering an opioid antagonist to a victim pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection unless the person’s actions constituted recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct. The immunity granted in this subdivision shall apply whether or not the opioid antagonist is administered by or to a person other than the person for whom it was prescribed.

  (e) A person acting on behalf of a community-based overdose prevention program or a licensed pharmacist shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for providing education on opioid-related overdose prevention or for purchasing, acquiring, distributing, or possessing an opioid antagonist unless the person’s actions constituted recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct.

  (f) Any health care professional who treats a victim and who has knowledge that the victim has been administered an opioid antagonist within the preceding 30 days shall refer the victim to professional substance use disorder treatment services. (Added 2013, No. 75, § 17; amended 2015, No. 38, § 25, eff. May 28, 2015; 2023, No. 22, § 4, eff. May 25, 2023; renumbered from 18 V.S.A. § 4240 by 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 17, 2024.)

• § 4258. Overdose prevention; drug-checking for contaminant detection

  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall not be a violation of this chapter for an approved drug-checking service provider to receive, possess, transport, or store samples of a substance that may contain a regulated drug solely for purposes of analyzing the substance to determine its chemical composition and disseminate information regarding the analysis to the provider of the substance.

  (b) On-site approved drug-checking service providers shall be permitted to:

  (1) collect voluntarily provided residual samples of substances potentially containing regulated drugs, possess, transport, or store samples of a regulated drug solely for purposes of analyzing the substances to determine its chemical composition as a lifesaving intervention;

  (2) use any available technologies to analyze the contents of samples to obtain timely, highly accurate information regarding the composition of drugs to prevent overdose and mitigate health risks;

  (3) provide results of analysis obtained from drug-checking technology to the person requesting drug services;

  (4) disseminate data containing only the results of analysis and containing no personally identifiable information to community members at risk of overdose; and

  (5) if necessary, arrange for a sample of a drug or substance to be tested by an approved laboratory.

  (c) In operating any drug-checking service, personally identifiable information may be collected from a person providing a controlled substance to an approved drug-checking service provider only as necessary to communicate drug-checking results to the person. Personally identifiable information collected solely for the purposes of communicating drug-checking results shall not be retained or shared by an approved drug-checking service provider.

  (d) An employee, contractor, volunteer, or other person acting in the good faith provision of drug-checking services and acting in accordance with established protocols shall not:

  (1) be subject to arrest, charge, or prosecution for a violation pursuant to this chapter, including for attempting to, aiding and abetting in, or conspiracy to commit a violation of this chapter;

  (2) have their property subject to forfeiture, any civil or administrative penalty, or liability of any kind, including disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, credentialing restrictions, contractual or civil liability, or medical staff or other employment action; or

  (3) be denied any right or privilege for actions, conduct, or omissions relating to the operation of a drug-checking service in compliance with this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

  (e) An individual possessing a regulated substance and who provides any portion of the substance to an approved drug-checking service provider pursuant to this section for purposes of obtaining drug-checking services shall not be subject to arrest, charge, or prosecution for possession of a regulated substance pursuant to this chapter or civil or administrative penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board for a violation of this chapter based on the individual’s use or attempted use of drug-checking services in accordance with this section. The immunity provisions of this subsection shall apply only to the use and derivative use of evidence gained as a proximate result of an individual seeking drug-checking services and shall not preclude prosecution of the individual on the basis of evidence obtained from an independent source.

  (f) Local governments shall not collect, maintain, use, or disclose any personal information relating to an individual from whom local government receives any drug or substance for checking or disposal.

  (g) The result of a test carried out by an approved drug-checking service provider shall not be admissible as evidence in any criminal or civil proceeding.

  (h)(1) The Department shall provide technical assistance to and develop operating guidelines for drug-checking service providers.

  (2) The Department shall coordinate the collection and dissemination of deidentified data related to drug-checking services to inform prevention and public health initiatives. (Added 2023, No. 22, § 12, eff. May 25, 2023; renumbered from 18 V.S.A. § 4240a by 2023, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 17, 2024.)